PAGEV becomes the Turkish implementer of the
international Operation Clean Sweep
Delivering on its motto of "responsible industry, problem-free environment", the Turkish Plastics Industry Association (PAGEV) continues its sustainability efforts with Operation Clean Sweep. PAGEV had signed the protocol for Operation Clean Sweep, a joint initiative of the Society of the Plastics Industry and the American Chemistry Council during the 11th Turkish Plastics Industry Congress to make Turkey a part of the program. Claiming that "no pellet is too small", the project entails the cleaning and collection of plastic raw materials that may be spilled during transit or production, preventing them from polluting the seas. As the implementer of the global project in Turkey, PAGEV issued Turkey's first Operation Clean Sweep certificate to the cleaning products manufacturer Sapro Temizlik Ürünleri San. ve Tic. A.Ş.
As a champion of sustainability projects in the plastics industry, PAGEV continues to represent the industry in international organizations. Having signed the protocol for Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) implemented by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC), PAGEV strives to educate Turkish companies on the subject and call them to action.
PAGEV is the Turkish representative of the global project
Operation Clean Sweep is a voluntary management program for facilities that use plastic materials, and entails the cleaning and collection of plastic raw materials that may be spilled during transit or production, preventing them from polluting the seas. Plastics are obtained by melting and then forming granulated raw materials, also known as pellets. Pellets may be spilled during transit or production, go down storm drains, and end up in the sea. To combat this pollution and recover pellets that carry some economic value, the Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) movement offers awareness, education and supervision services. After nearly a quarter-century of efforts to reduce pellet, granule and powder loss in the plastics industry to zero, OCS is now represented in Turkey by PAGEV.
Having signed the protocol for Operation Clean Sweep during the 11th Turkish Plastics Industry Congress, PAGEV is actively engaging companies to implement the project on a wider scale. Companies that become a part of the movement receive training on zero pellet, granule or powder loss and are issued certificates which show their commitment to the environment.
The first company to join this voluntary program in Turkey and receive an OCS certificate from PAGEV was Sapro Temizlik Ürünleri Sanayi ve Tic. A.Ş., a leading company in the wet wipes industry. As an international organization that exports products to 62 countries, Sapro has a wide network of customers, suppliers, and environmental initiatives.
Saying that the first Turkish participant of the OCS movement being a cleaning supplies company carried additional meaning, PAGEV President Yavuz Eroğlu continued, “PAGEV is as committed to the environment as it is to the development of the industry and solving its problems. Sustainability is a leading agenda item. Operation Clean Sweep is among the work that we perform to achieve sustainability. The initiative tells the companies: 'No waste or loss is too small.' When swept clean, the tiny pellets combine to make up significant economic value, and are prevented from polluting the oceans of the world. Companies that participate in the global Operation Clean Sweep make commitments that they will implement systems which will reduce plastic pellet loss, and that they will play their part in preserving water sources. As an entirely voluntary program, OCS also enables companies to certify their commitment to nature. The fact that the first Turkish participant of the program is Sapro, a world leader in wet wipes and cleaning supplies, is in perfect harmony with the objectives of the project. To help companies, PAGEV has prepared the Operation Clean Sweep Handbook as well as other informative materials to guide companies on what they can do to prevent plastic pellet loss."
Expressing their pleasure to be a part of the OCS movement, Sapro Temizlik Ürünleri Sanayi ve Tic. A.Ş. Quality Director Barbaros Sert said: “As a global player in the wet wipes industry, we are aware of our responsibilities to the environment and other forms of life. When the Environment and Quality Department manager of a customer, which owns one of the largest supermarket chains in the UK, approached us about taking part in this project implemented in Turkey by PAGEV, we said that we would volunteer right away. The certificate we receive today marks our place as the first link of the chain in Turkey."
For more information on Operation Clean Sweep, please visit www.pagev.net.tr or contact PAGEV at 0212 4251313.
