UK recycling organisation Recoup (Peterborough; www.recoup.org) has become the first supporter of the British Plastic Federation’s (BPF, London; www.bpf.co.uk) Ocean Clean Sweep (OCS) initiative. Launched in 2009, the BPF’s OCS scheme is a branch of the US version of the initiative, which aims to prevent plastic pellets, flakes, and powders from leaking into the environment, particularly rivers, waterways, and ultimately, the ocean.

Related: Spanish programme aimed at zero pellet losses

The BPF launched the supporter role, along with a brochure outlining how supporters can help the scheme, for organisations that are not directly involved in plastics manufacturing but want to support the prevention of pellets and flakes getting into the wider environment.

The new brochure spells out information on the OCS to a wider range of potential stakeholders, giving reasons why companies should sign up, and showing how the PAS510:2021 standard on pellet-loss prevention can help to implement robust pellet management policies.

More than 140 BPF members have signed up to the OCS, including Cromwell Polythene (Leeds; www.cromwellpolythene.co.uk), Hardie Polymers (Glasgow; www.hardiepolymers.com), Pentagon Plastics (Horsham; www.pentagonplastics.co.uk), and Wells Plastics (Stone; www.wellsplastics.com).