Paper Champion: Ed Allen Takes the Fight for the Industry to the Front Lines

WCP Solutions President Ed Allen has been on the proverbial front lines for some time now, fighting for our industry and being one of its most vocal advocates on the state level in Oregon. One battle he has fought is that involving the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA), which has sought to shift the financial and logistical burden of recycling and end-of-life management directly onto the companies producing packaging, printing, and writing paper.

He acknowledges that the RMA has created quite a disruption in our industry, especially in his home state of Oregon since it is the first state to implement legislation for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. He remarks, “My role in addressing the RMA legislation in Oregon has been a significant distraction to running our business. While we fully support the intent of EPR, we have been quite challenged with the implementation and ambiguity of the law itself.”

Fighting the Good Fight

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) called on Allen to participate in the litigation to challenge the RMA in Oregon. This past July, he testified about the burdens this law has been to WCP, in particular, where it substantially impairs interstate trade and is a significant disruption to the supply chain. Allen says, “The entire experience has been fascinating, to say the least, but exhausting as well trying to maneuver our company through these challenges.” 

One month later, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon dismissed a constitutional challenge to the RMA brought by the NAW. Allen called the ruling “disappointing, but not unexpected as it would be somewhat uncommon for a district judge to rule against a law that has already passed the legislative process. I still strongly believe that the RMA is unconstitutional on the grounds of Due Process and the Dormant Commerce Clause. I am hopeful that the verdict will be appealed and, eventually, overturned. NAW, and its legal team, are currently determining the next steps in this process.”

The next steps may eventually lead Allen back to the witness stand. Initially he was approached by the NAW’s legal team and asked if he would provide a declaration explaining the challenges the RMA has created for WCP to be used as evidence in the trial.

“Soon after,” he recalls, “I was deposed by the State of Oregon’s legal team in preparation for the trial in preparation for my cross examination. Prior to the trial, I met numerous times with the NAW legal team who coached me to get a better understanding of what to expect when I testified during my direct and cross examinations. Lastly, the trial itself was quite stressful being on the stand for two to three hours. While it was a fascinating learning experience, I was quite relieved when it concluded!”

Who Is Ed Allen?

Allen certainly has the experience and industry credentials to serve as an advocate for the paper trade. He started in this industry working a warehouse job nearly four decades ago and has worked in every position in the paper distribution business ever since: driver; paper cutter; receptionist; accounting; customer service; purchasing; outside sales; sales management; division management; regional management; and, now, President of WCP Solutions where he has enjoyed working for the past 14 years.

“While working in the business,” this married father of two daughters states, “I attended night school where I earned my BS in Marketing from the Portland State University School of Business in 1992. In 2003, I earned my MBA in Business from Concordia University. I currently have served on the [National Paper Trade Association’s] board since 2022, and I am also on the board for the Association of Independent Paper and Packaging Merchants (AIPPM) where I am currently the Treasurer.”

And Ed Allen’s name would have little value in the state capital and on the national scene if it weren’t for the success of WCP Solutions. The privately owned wholesale distributor was founded in 1930 and provides products and services that help manufacturing and service businesses run smoothly.

Allen states, “Our people are the special sauce at WCP. Every day, I am honored to work alongside so many amazing people that bleed yellow, our company color. We are fortunate to have amazing people willing to go the extra mile daily to take care of what needs to be done. Furthermore,  the relationships with so many great customers and suppliers are critical to our success.”

While at the helm, Allen hopes he will aspire other decision-makers around him to get involved and take an active interest in their state and local politics. Doing so, he says, has helped him gain insight into the current and future challenges, especially in states not as conducive to businesses. He says, “Being a part of an organization like NAW has allowed us to participate in the advocacy of the states we compete in where we simply could not do it ourselves. Being a part of a national or local trade association, a chamber of commerce, or a rotary is instrumental to maneuver your business through impending state and regional legislation.”

And for those in his orbit or who are reading this article right now, he recommends that everyone begin their own research on EPR legislation in their state. After all, seven states – Oregon, California, Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, Maryland and Maine – have already passed legislation for paper and packaging EPR. Many more are discussing or introducing legislation. Allen urges, “Talk with your customers and suppliers to get an understanding of what the implications may be for your business.”

Looking Ahead

Allen has vowed to continue being advocate for our industry, while leading WCP Solutions deeper into the 21^st century. Even with his optimism, he is very aware of the challenges and potential roadblocks ahead. “While the EPR legislation has been a substantial disruption to our business,” he says, “I also see tremendous opportunity for members of the NPTA. A silver lining in a dark cloud! The foundation of these EPR laws is primarily for the reduction and/or elimination of plastic-based packaging. Because of this, I see tremendous opportunity for the ‘paperization’ of packaging going forward. We are at a point where our ingenuity could become our competitive advantage. We are fortunate that paper is a renewable resource with an excellent infrastructure already established for recycling.” 

He concludes, “Again, I fully endorse the intent of the Extended Producer Responsibility laws but the challenges going forward will be significant until we can have one harmonized program across all states that doesn’t disrupt existing supply chains or impair interstate trade. With the NPTA being an association of customers, suppliers, and competitors, we must come together to fight for our industry!”