Operation Clean Sweep is a global initiative set up to reduce the amount of plastic going into our rivers, seas and oceans. Whilst this has been an ever increasing issue for many years now; the UN acknowledge the ‘plastics crisis’ and on December 6th 2017 adopted a (non-binding) resolution calling for an end to plastic entering the sea. From 2015, the term ‘plastic soup’ (being the name used for the gathering of plastic masses in the ocean) became part of everyday culture. The soup we speak of comes together to form almost an island of plastic (estimated to be double the size of Texas). This highlights just how big the issue is. The reason the issue is so big is due to the sheer amount of damage it has on fish and birds which eventually enters our food chain. It is not only harmful to the animals but also to us.
Focus was placed predominantly at Industries producing and distributing plastics. These industries acknowledged their part to play in improving the situation but also highlighted that they were part of a 4 link chain – beginning with them as producers and distributors of raw material. Next in the chain sits the users/manufacturers of the raw material. The third part of the chain is the consumer of the goods made from plastics. World governments need to form the forth part of the chain – controlling and supporting issues and behavioural change via legislation.
Companies such as Total, Chevron Phillips, Covestro, and Ineos all came out to address this and declare the problem as a major priority. In 2017, all the major chemical companies in Europe aligned together in a workgroup to attack granulate spills on public road and waterways – signing the Operation Clean Sweep Pledge (demonstrating their commitment to a clean environment, by completing the “Pledge to Prevent Resin Pellet, Flake and Powder Loss”).
Operation Clean Sweep had been on the go long before the media picked up on the ‘plastic soup’ issue however, dating back to 1991. The voluntary stewardship program was created by what is known as SPI Companies throughout the plastic industry who signed the pledge to work towards zero pellet loss. The movement then developed onto the online platform which offered an online manual amongst other tools, which assisted companies to create their own OCS program to reduce pellet loss.
OCS don’t just deal with plastic pellets, in 2015 they added two new materials to their mission which are plastic flakes and powder. There has been a positive impact on the global marine environment due to Operation Clean Sweep and the efforts by the plastic industry. They continue to develop their program via a growing number in partnerships worldwide. They offer their services to all plastic-handling companies by giving a detailed manual of the best management practices free of charge to implement into global workplaces.
OCS states that: “ If your company has not signed the pledge to join and participate in OCS, there has never been a better time to do so. Together, we can eventually achieve Operation Clean Sweep’s goal of zero pellet, flake, and powder loss.”
If you would like to know more about Operation Clean Sweep then click on the link below:
If you are a plastic handling business who would like to sign the pledge then you can do so by licking here: https://www.opcleansweep.org/pledge/
Planet Plastic 