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EVERGREEN AMBITIONS SUSTAINABILITY • INDUSTRY IS GENERATING MOMENTUM IN THE FIGHT TO COMBAT PLASTIC POLLUTION ACROSS ALL SECTORS THROUGH INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION THERE IS ARGUABLY no greater challenge facing the world, and the petrochemical industry in particular, than the need for sustainability and being able to extract the most from materials without generating waste. The world has experienced a rapid growth in demand in middle-class and industrial economies that has led to a sharp increase in plastics consumption, with recycling development unable to keep pace. The result has been a dramatic volume of
legitimate health risks concerning crosscontamination in the reuse of plastics. Fortunately, drastic steps are being taken by businesses across the industry, such as committing to large-scale initiatives and working with different authorities. Many businesses that are holding the torch for others by implementing new procedures and assisting in wider clean-up efforts are being rewarded for their innovative efforts.
waste plastics inadvertently ending up in key ecosystems. Being able to stop product loss at the point of manufacture and ultimately reusing plastics packaging are key parts of achieving sustainability targets, but there are hurdles to overcome, particularly as there are
A GREATER GOAL One of the leading programmes that businesses are signing up to is Operation Clean Sweep (OCS). The goal of OCS is to help every plastic resin handling operation to develop and implement the highest quality good housekeeping protocols and exemplary
HCB MONTHLY | DECEMBER 2019
pellet, flake and powder containment practices. Ultimately, this will lead to achieving zero pellet, flake and powder loss, which will protect the environment and save participating companies valuable resources. Spilled pellets, flakes and powder can unfortunately make their way into local waterways and enter estuaries and the ocean. This is not just an eyesore but a serious health hazard. If these products are accidentally mistaken for food by birds or marine animals it can frequently cause harm to them and can remain in the food chain for many years, even contaminating food for people. The approach set out by OCS involves all companies along the plastics supply chain and obliges them to take preventive measures, as it is only through the cooperation of all partners that these ambitious and essential targets will be met. OCS has been operating for several years and Bertschi was one of the first logistics service providers to sign the OCS commitment in 2016. Since then, Bertschi has been continuously developing and expanding its efforts surrounding critical points such as terminals, warehouses and transhipment points. In recognition of its exemplary performance as part of the OCS initiative, Bertschi and its subsidiary Nordic
