Plastics Industry Association, ACC launch Operation Clean Sweep Blue verification program

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC), both based in Washington, have launched Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) Blue verification, a new program the organizations designed to further the plastics industry’s goal of keeping plastic in use and out of the environment. The launch of OCS Blue verification aims to bring a new level of rigor and transparency to the more than 500 facilities in the U.S. under the OCS Blue program through an external, facility-level inspection program.

OCS was founded in 1991 by PLASTICS and the program is managed in partnership with the ACC’s Plastics Division. The industry-led program is dedicated to helping companies move toward zero plastic resin loss and is active in more than 60 countries worldwide. PLASTICS says OCS members in the U.S. represent a diversity of the plastics value chain, ranging from companies making and distributing plastic to transportation companies moving plastic, and processors manufacturing final products.

“Preventing preproduction plastic from entering the environment is a top priority for PLASTICS members and the entire industry,” PLASTICS President and CEO Matt Seaholm says. “OCS Blue verification underscores this commitment and ensures all OCS Blue members are held to rigorous management practices while working towards a future where all plastic remains in the circular economy.”

Ross Eisenberg, head of ACC’s Plastics Division, says, “America’s plastic makers have led the charge to be good stewards in resin and pellet management. We are taking significant measures to increase transparency and knowledge sharing that will lead to safer, cleaner communities in the U.S. and abroad.”

According to PLASTICS, OCS Blue’s required management practices demonstrate significant leadership in industry-led, voluntary stewardship to protect the environment, preserve water quality and wildlife and strengthen worker safety. It adds that OCS Blue verification is a new mandatory requirement for all material suppliers and processors in OCS Blue and is uniquely available to OCS Blue members in the U.S.

To become OCS Blue verified, PLASTICS says a facility must demonstrate that it has successfully implemented 29 required management practices ranging from robust risk assessments to comprehensive employee training and data reporting. OCS Blue verification inspections will be conducted by trained and approved OCS Blue verifiers that meet eligibility requirements. The organization adds that the first verification cycle extends through the end of 2025 and will continue every three years going forward.

PLASTICS and ACC say they will host an OCS Blue verification webinar Oct. 25 from 1-2 p.m. For more information and to join OCS Blue, email ocs@plasticsindustry.org.