The establishment of the CIAC Plastics Division in the summer of 2020 led to an opportunity for companies in Canada to demonstrate their leadership in all aspects of the plastics value chain, including sustainability. To affirm the commitment to sustainability, CIAC adopted Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) and became its sole licensor in Canada.
Operation Clean Sweep is an international prevention-focused program for environmental stewardship designed to help plastic resin manufacturing and handling operations implement good housekeeping and resin containment practices. Responsible management of plastic resin is critical to ensure plastics can continue playing a role in our modern, sustainable way of life while never entering the natural environment.
CIAC has made participating in OCS a condition of membership to ensure responsible management of plastic resin throughout their businesses. In line with the high level of accountability associated with Responsible Care, CIAC has taken steps to ensure a significant level of rigour behind OCS. This includes requiring members to:
- submit quarterly site assessments;
- report all spills over 0.5 kg of uncaptured resin; and
- participate in a third-party audit once every three years.
Through the fulfillment of OCS program requirements, member companies are not only able to apply practices that mitigate the risk of pellets entering the environment, but they are also able to demonstrate their leadership in sustainability and stewardship in the Canadian context.
Key highlights
OCS was first introduced to members for initial site assessments in September 2021. Although the program is still in the implementation phase, there has been significant adoption amongst members leading to impressive benefits to companies’ sustainability performances.
After 12 months of implementation, CIAC members have seen a positive reduction in both site issues (evaluated in quarterly site assessments) and overall spills (evaluated based on spill reports sent to CIAC). The data presented here covers the period from September 2021 to September 2022 and represents four quarterly assessment periods.
After one year of implementing the OCS program, on average, members of the CIAC Plastics Division have reported a 29 per cent improvement on issues related to plastic spills at their facilities. These include preventative tools and traps being installed at the correct locations, cleaning up visible resin around the facilities, and ensuring equipment is functional and ready should a spill occur. Furthermore, during the same one-year period, members also observed a 28 per cent reduction in total spills from the first to the fourth quarter. While the OCS program is still in the implementation phase, these results demonstrate the value of quarterly reporting and the potential benefits of responsible plastic resin management.
| OCS in 2022 | |
|---|---|
| 29% | Improvement in site issues |
| 28% | Reduction in spills |
| 33% | Of new members driven by OCS |
The increased recognition and rigour of the OCS program has attracted several new members to the CIAC Plastics Division. This interest has led to the formation of a new category of membership called “OCS Transportation Partners,” which includes companies operating in the transportation and distribution side of the plastics value chain. This marks a significant milestone for the OCS program as transportation partners offer knowledge-sharing opportunities for all program participants. In 2023, CIAC will be adapting the OCS program to provide unique reporting guidelines to meet the specific needs of the transportation sector.
Communication and advocacy have also been a top priority for CIAC in the implementation of the OCS program over the last year. Renewed material, such as the OCS brochure, has been made available for companies interested in the program. CIAC has also participated in panels and presented at conferences to highlight the value of OCS to industry stakeholders. Additionally, Environment and Climate Change Canada has recognized OCS on their website as a resource to reduce plastic spills and releases in the environment. Furthermore, CIAC is working with provinces across Canada to promote the recognition and value of participation in the program.
Future outlook
As the OCS program continues to grow in Canada, CIAC plans to work closely with its members to further minimize spill risks. To enhance the program’s rigour and credibility, CIAC intends to introduce third-party audits in 2023 to ensure that companies maintain the highest level of practices.
OCS offers a unique opportunity for companies to achieve their environmental stewardship objectives by keeping plastics in the economy and out of the environment. To learn more about the program and its benefits in Canada, please visit https://canadianchemistry.ca/operation-clean-sweep/.