Industry come together for first Operation Clean Sweep® Workshop

The first Operation Clean Sweep® workshop took place on Wednesday 14th February with 26 BPF members attending the workshop. This workshop was set up to help to develop further the Operation Clean Sweep® programme.

The workshop provided an opportunity to present the results from the latest Operation Clean Sweep® survey. The survey took place at the end of 2017/beginning of 2018 and 64 companies filled in the survey. Just over half of these companies were already signed up to Operation Clean Sweep®. The survey showed that all of the companies were taking action to prevent plastic pellets from escaping however, there was still opportunities to do more.

RPC:BPI and Innovia Films presented to the group the work they have been doing within their facilities to implement Operation Clean Sweep®. This included spills kits in unloading areas, staff quiz to find out if they knew what to do if a spill occurs, checks on drainage, mesh drain covers and replacing pipe work.

As mentioned the aim of the workshop was to look at how to develop Operation Clean Sweep®. There were presentations from Smithers Rapra, BRC Global Standards and BSI presenting different options to develop the programme. This included standard, practical on-site support and audits.

Members fully engaged in the discussion following the presentations where they could present their views on how to develop Operation Clean Sweep® and encourage more sign ups. The ideas which the BPF will now be exploring include a catalogue of equipment which can help with implementing Operation Clean Sweep®, a forum for members to ask questions to each other and template letters so members can engage their suppliers and customers on Operation Clean Sweep®. RPC:BPI and Innovia Films case studies will be available on the website in the next few days. 

Operation Clean Sweep® operates in 34 countries around the world and it is run in the UK by the BPF.  The programme, with 107 signatories in the UK only, represents more than 200 sites and is considered best in class in the EU.

To find out more about Operation Clean Sweep® please visit www.operationcleansweep.co.uk or contact Helen Jordan ([email protected]).