MOSCOW (MRC) -- Participants in an industry program designed to help manage and prevent accidental release of plastic pellets into the environment this week approved a new program element that requires them to report unrecovered releases greater than 0.5 liters or 0.5 kilograms, said ACCA.
Reported releases will then be aggregated and publicly reported annually.
The new requirements apply to companies that volunteer to become part of the enhanced operation clean sweep (OCS) blue program. Following the original OCS program, two years ago the industry introduced a more stringent set of practices—OCS blue—which requires participants to conduct regular training, audits and inspections; implement prevention and management procedures; and report performance to trade associations that administer the program, among other things. The newly approved element will strengthen the stewardship program’s requirements and transparency even further.
"Companies that make plastics are deeply committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of their operations, and we’re making it a priority to enhance the rigor and transparency of our pellet stewardship program,” said Steve Russell, vice president of ACC’s Plastics Division. “In 2018, all members of ACC’s Plastics Division committed to implement OCS blue across their U.S. facilities by the end of 2020. Not only are they on track to meet these commitments, but they’re raising the bar as they go. We hope all companies that make, use, transport or handle plastic pellets join us in implementing OCS and OCS blue."
"Our members are part of the solution when it comes to eradicating plastic waste in our oceans and waterways,” said Tony Radoszewski, president and CEO of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). “Operation Clean Sweep is an important tool in achieving this goal. OCS and OCS blue provide an essential framework for companies that handle plastic pellets."
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,724,670 tonnes in the first ten months of 2019, up by 7% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. The estimated PP consumption in the Russian market in January-October 2019 totalled 1,066,520 tonnes, up by 7% year on year. Supply of block copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymer) and homopolymer of propylene (homopolymer PP) increased, demand for statistical copolymers (PP random copolymer) decreased.
OCS and OCS blue are administered by the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division and the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). Program resources, such as a manual, checklists, and other materials can be downloaded and used or adapted at no cost by any company that handles plastic pellets, powders or flakes.
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