Almost 700 companies across the plastics value chain are already part of Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) across Europe, thus helping to reduce the amount of plastic granules in the environment. This emerges from the now published OCS progress report on PlasticsEurope's zero pellet loss program.
Various levers are needed to avoid environmental damage caused by plastics. This also includes reducing the amount of granules or pellets used in plastics production on roads, rivers and coastlines. Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) has been aiming for exactly that for several years. The progress report provides information on what has been achieved so far in the fight against pellet losses.
The action plan for the development of a European certification system for zero pellet loss 2022 was presented over the course of the publication of the report. During implementation, PlasticsEurope worked closely with the plastics value chain to define effective and binding requirements.
Pellets, powders and flakes are different types of raw materials that are processed into plastic products. While high environmental, safety and quality management controls apply, unintentional losses can occur at various stages of the value chain. The OCS programme gives companies guidelines on how to avoid granulate losses.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of PlasticsEurope, said: “I am proud that PlasticsEurope is the first trade association in the world to make OCS mandatory for its members. The global problem of pellet loss can only be solved through joint action and together with the entire plastics value chain."
The full report is available on the OCS website and the PlasticsEurope website .