Operation Cleansweep:™ another step in reducing valuable plastic loss to the environment

Environmental research studies are increasingly vocal about the impact of plastic on marine life and the environment. Plastic particles cannot be passed through the digestive tract of marine mammals and fish and, most often than not, result in malnutrition and starvation. But this is just one aspect of an ever-growing problem.

While consumers are responsible for the proper disposal of products they use, the plastics industry has until recently been plagued by allegations of improper plastic disposal. It is therefore critical that the sector starts focusing on the proper containment of plastics throughout the supply chain.

As one of the world’s largest providers of recyclable, reusable, and returnable transit packaging solutions, we take sustainability and our commitment to the circular economy seriously – indeed it is deeply embedded into Schoeller Allibert’s very DNA.

This is why signing up for Operation Clean Sweep®, an international initiative from the plastics industry to reduce plastic pellet loss to the environment, driven by the British Plastics Federation in the UK, is a natural extension of our existing ethos.

The initiative aims to ensure that all plastic pellets, flakes, and powders that pass through our manufacturing facilities are handled and disposed of in line with regulatory guidelines and not into our rivers or seas. No single piece of plastic should end up in ecosystems. Not only because plastic is too valuable to throw away, but critically to protect our marine environment.

By becoming a signatory of Operation Clean Sweep®, we are making a commitment to adhere to and enforce best practices, by implementing systems that prevent plastic pellet loss.

An important part of this process is educating our employees on how to properly handle and contain this basic raw material. Not only is this good for the environment, but it is also good for business.

This commitment is evident throughout our whole company: from top management to the shop floor employees. We are furthermore committed to this essential and ongoing process and will regularly engage with all our employees to ensure our commitment to this campaign is maintained and to strengthen our support of the circular economy.

By rolling out this programme, we will continue to be part of the solution by delivering 360-degree cradle-to-cradle solutions for our clients. We are proud to be leading the industry in providing clients with innovative, reusable, and sustainable solutions with our returnable plastic packaging containers.