Packaging Association of Canada becomes first supporter member of Operation Clean Sweep

The Packaging Association of Canada (PAC) and the leaders of its PAC NEXT initiative have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin promoting Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) to resin pellet handling operations within their membership.

The goal of OCS is to help resin pellet handlers implement systematic housekeeping and pellet containment practices towards achieving zero pellet loss, ensuring that spilled resin pellets, the raw material from which plastic products are made, do not make their way into local waterways, lakes or oceans.

"We're excited to be working with the US' Society of Plastics Industry (SPI), American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) to help promote the OCS program and to ensure our members engaged in resin pellet handling sign onto the OCS program," said James Downham, PAC President and CEO. "PAC and PAC NEXT urge all of their members who handle resin pellets to take the OCS pledge to prevent the loss of resin pellets into the environment. We all agree that plastic pellets don't belong in the environment, and this program can help us practice better pellet stewardship across our industry."

Originated by SPI more than 25 years ago, OCS is now a joint program of SPI and the ACC and is licensed to the CPIA to administer and promote in Canada.

SPI President and CEO Bill Carteaux added, "Our organization is pleased to have PAC and PAC NEXT as a supporter to promote OCS among its membership. Protecting the environment takes industry cooperation, and we are delighted to share a program that has helped hundreds of other companies keep resin pellets out of waterways and pursue zero waste."

CPIA President and CEO Carol Hochu said, "CPIA is delighted with the support from PAC and PAC NEXT and looks forward to working together, building and expanding upon our current efforts to enlist more and more companies into the OCS program.