INDA Names Winners of Legislative Champion and Industry Advocate Awards

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has announced the recipients of its inaugural Legislative Champion and Industry Advocate of the Year Awards. The awards recognize policymakers and industry representatives for their contributions to the nonwovens industry’s advocacy efforts.

The Legislative Champion awards were presented to Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI). They were recognized for their support of the WIPPES Act, which aims to introduce national Do Not Flush labeling standards for non-flushable wipes. Senator Merkley received the award in person during INDA’s third annual Washington D.C. Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, held alongside ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Association’s Clean Advocacy Summit.

During the event, Senator Merkley informed attendees that the WIPPES Act, S. 1092, had been passed by the United States Senate the previous day with unanimous consent.

The Industry Advocate of the Year awards were given to Martyn Davis, President of Sellars Nonwovens, and Sam Nebel, co-founder of Goodwipes. The recognition was based on their contributions to supporting the nonwoven industry and INDA’s wipes advocacy initiatives.

“INDA would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all awardees,” noted INDA government affairs director Wes Fisher, “It was a great moment for Senator Merkley to join us in person to share the news of the Senate passage of the WIPPES Act, he and Representative McClain have been instrumental in moving this key legislation. Additionally, we would like to thank and recognize Sam and Martyn for their steadfast support of the nonwovens industry’s advocacy agenda.”