Plastics Federation Pledge to Stop Raw Material Loss Into UK Rivers and Seas

On World Environment Day (5th June) the British Plastics Federation launched its guidance manual 'Operation Clean Sweep - Plastic Pellet Loss Prevention' with surfers and mermaids welcoming the initiative.

In the UK as well as across the World plastic pellets, the raw material from which plastics products are made, have been found on some beaches. How they get there is not clear but the British Plastics Federation wants all companies in the UK Plastics industry to pledge to prevent the loss of plastics pellets into the environment by implementing the BPF's Operation Clean Sweep programme. Plastic pellet loss can occur in factories where pellets could be carelessly washed down drains, or lost in transportation.

The Operation Clean Sweep manual lays down procedures for Prevention, Containment and Clean up. It contains a recommended employee training programme and shows how employee participation and accountability can be encouraged.

The Charity Surfers Against Sewage will be present at the launch of Operation Clean Sweep by BPF President, Paul Jukes.

Surfers against Sewage (SAS) alerted the BPF Director General, Peter Davis, to large amounts of plastic pellet being found on Porthtowan Beach in Cornwall

The BPF's newly elected President Paul Jukes says:

"Losing plastic pellets is bad for the environment, bad housekeeping and doesn't make economic sense. We must all do our bit to prevent this happening."

"I would ask all plastic companies to read the Manual and then sign the Company Pledge and return it to us. By signing the Pledge they are agreeing to implement measures to achieve zero pellet loss."

Surfers Against Sewage Campaign Manager Andy Cummins says:

"After SAS highlighted the problem of mermaids' tears on UK beaches we were impressed with the BPF's determination to find a solution to this big problem. Operation Clean Sweep can help factories all over the UK protect the environment and their profit margins. It's a win win situation and SAS urge all BPF members to sign Operation Clean Sweep's company pledge."

Ends

For further information on this press release, please contact Anthony Roberts, British Plastics Federation, 6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3JE, tel 020 7457 5043, fax 020 7457 5045, email: [email protected]

Notes for editors:

1) British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry - representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.
2) Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a UK-based non profit-making organisation campaigning for clean, safe recreational waters, free from sewage effluents, toxic chemicals, marine litter and nuclear waste.
2) The 'Operation Clean Sweep - Plastic Pellet loss Prevention' manual and company pledge form can be accessed at www.operationcleansweep.co.uk after 00:01, 5th June.
3) Photocall: SAS campaigners and 2 beautiful mermaids will be at the BPF headquarters at 12 noon on Friday the 5th of June, World Environment Day. They will be presented with the OCS document by BPF President, Paul Jukes. Please contact Anthony Roberts ([email protected]) for more information on this event or to register to attend
4) The British Plastics Federation wishes to thank the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the American Plastics Council (APC) for permission to use 'Operation Clean Sweep'