Following the release of its first Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) report in 2017, PlasticsEurope has made the OCS programme a top priority in 2018, setting new targets for its members as part of our Plastics 2030 Voluntary Commitment. The 2018 new report provides an overview of the latest OCS developments in Europe and identifies further improvements to prevent pellet loss.

 

The number of OCS signatories doubled in Europe in 2018, reaching up to more than 500 companies handling plastics pellets. More than 98% of the total European plastics production have now signed up to OCS. Furthermore, PlasticsEurope has developed and is now showcasing the results of its OCS questionnaire for the first time. This is a transparent and harmonised monitoring scheme which assesses OCS implementation. PlasticsEurope is also strengthening its collaboration with the entire plastics value chain. We are pleased to announce that 250 new companies have signed the pledge in 2018, among them PD Port (Teesside UK), first port to follow the example of the Antwerp Port in 2017.

 

Following the publication of the report today, Karl-H. Foerster, PlasticsEurope Executive Director, said:

“The plastics industry remains fully committed to implementing solutions to end plastic waste in the environment. Working with the value chain for the implementation of OCS is an essential part of our 2030 Voluntary Commitment. Our aim is to drive best practices in pellet management and strive towards zero pellet loss.”

 

PlasticsEurope’s objectives for 2019 are to actively contribute to global industry efforts. Together with the plastics value chain, our aim is to develop an OCS certification scheme and continue to support the implementation of the OCS programme as a way to deliver our Voluntary Commitment.

 

OCS is an international programme to prevent pellet loss. A Zero Pellet Loss (ZPL) initiative was initially launched by PlasticsEurope in 2013 to raise awareness among employees at manufacturing plants on how to properly manage pellets at each step of the production and supply chain. To align and concentrate global industry efforts under a common approach, ZPL was integrated on a pan-European base into the global OCS programme in 2015. The aim of their common goal is to create awareness, share best practices and provide guidance to its members.

The full report can be found here: www.opcleansweep.eu and www.plasticseurope.org