Green Transformation Boosts Brand Strength

Green Transformation Strengthens Brand Power PAGEV Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu stated that they have implemented the OCS Certification Program, which America and Europe apply to prevent microplastics from entering seas, in Turkey as well; "Through our awareness, training and inspection services, we are targeting zero granule, flake and dust loss," he said. Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), one of the global initiatives developed worldwide to reduce environmental pollution, has begun to be implemented in Turkey. The global program, known as the Good Sweeping Movement, has been in effect in America and Europe for years. Pointing out that the management of waste generated after the production and use of plastics requires serious environmental monitoring, PAGEV Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu emphasized that a series of measures have been implemented globally regarding microplastics, which have frequently been in the spotlight in recent years, and the prevention of these microplastics from being released into nature. He spoke as follows: "The OCS Certification Program was implemented with this goal. Since plastic granules used in the production process fall within the microplastic definition, the OCS Certification Program is applied to prevent the loss and leakage of these granules both during their production at petrochemical facilities, during transportation to plastic product manufacturers, and during the production of plastic products at facilities. In a manner of speaking, like ISO Quality Certificate, the OCS Certification Program also enables companies to establish systems related to their records. As the Turkey Representative of the OCS Environmental Certificate, which carries the character of an internationally valid document containing monitoring and supervision, PAGEV is the only authorized institution to provide awareness, training, inspection and internationally valid certification services to our country's companies in this field," he said. Stating that they contribute to the sector's development with the mission of "Responsible Industry, Trouble-Free Environment," Eroğlu said, "PAGEV's 'Good Sweeping Movement (Operation Clean Sweep)' work, conducted in partnership with the Plastics Industry Association and the American Chemistry Council since 2016, is a striking example of the industry's contributions to leaving a livable world for nature and future generations. The Good Sweeping Movement (OCS), a product management program of the American Chemistry Council's Plastics Division and the U.S. Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), was first implemented in the United States in 1990. It has been in effect in Europe since 2015. With a global zero granule, flake and dust loss goal, the program was included in the "Global Action Plan for Solutions to Marine Litter" to help the industry address marine debris. Companies that adopt the Good Sweeping Movement program, on one hand take steps to protect the environment from microplastics, while on the other hand publicize their brands as 'environmentally friendly' on a global scale and gain prestige against competitors," he said. The agreement regarding the Internationally Valid OCS Environmental Certificate Program was signed by PAGEV Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu and Plastics Europe Regional Director Giuseppe Riva at a ceremony held in Istanbul.

Production and transportation processes under scrutiny

  The "Good Sweeping Movement (Operation Clean Sweep)" project, a certification program launched under the Green Deal to prevent microplastics from entering the oceans, aims to ensure that plastic granules, flakes, particles and dust passing through plastic production facilities are handled with due care and do not mix into rivers or seas. The Good Sweeping Movement, a voluntary management program for facilities using plastic materials, aims with the slogan "There is no small thing" to prevent plastic raw materials spilled to the ground during production or transportation (via canalization and water channels) from mixing into seas or rivers. Plastic products are produced by melting and shaping plastic raw materials in the form of small granules. During production or transportation, these particles can spill to the ground and mix into the environment and then into the sea via the sewage system. The Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) movement provides awareness, training and inspection services to ensure that plastic raw material particles, which also have economic value, do not pose a danger to marine life.  

Turkey, part of the global program

  Reminding that companies participating in the Good Sweeping Movement commit to adhering to best practices and implementing systems to reduce plastic granule loss, thereby playing their part in water protection, Eroğlu shared the following information regarding brands participating in the OCS Program in Turkey and worldwide: "As a result of the Memorandum of Understanding between PAGEV, which undertakes the representation of the project implemented at the global scale in our country, and the United Nations Project Services Office (UNOPS), it is also included in the National SGP Work Program implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). PAGEV carries out training and certification activities in companies to raise awareness among Turkish firms and involve them in the movement. Within this framework, in Turkey; An-el Anahtar, Avient (Polyone), Avient (Clairant), Bareks Plastik, Jokey Turkey, Polibak, Sapro Temizlik Ürünleri, Tulipack companies obtained OCS Certification and were among the pioneering companies operating the OCS program at their facilities. The OCS Certification processes of GF Hakan Plastik, Polinas Plastik, Sem Plastik, Lux Plastik, Paccor Ambalaj, Dizayn Konsept, Fimaks Plastik companies are in the completion stage. Worldwide, many brands including BASF Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, SABIC, Solvay Specialty Polymers, Exxon Mobile Chemical Company, A. Schulman Plastics BV – LyondellBasell also hold OCS certificates. Source