Three new companies have joined the fight against plastic pollution by signing the Operational Clean Sweep (OCS) pledge in Southern Africa. The Association of Rotational Moulders of Southern Africa (ARMSA), the Expanded Polystyrene Association of Southern Africa (EPSASA), and Kainotomia Polymers have committed to preventing resin pellet, flake, and powder loss to reduce the amount of plastic ending up in rivers and oceans.
The ARMSA Rotation Conference 2023 held in March at Zubula Golf Estate, provided an opportunity for Gary Wiid, ARMSA Chairman, to sign the pledge on behalf of the association. Wiid emphasized the importance of signing the OCS pledge, saying, "We have a responsibility to ensure that our industry is sustainable and that our products do not end up polluting our environment. ARMSA members are committed to implementing best practices to prevent plastic pellet loss and ensure that our industry operates in an environmentally responsible manner."
EPSASA Chairman Mike Myers said, "As an industry, we recognize the importance of taking responsibility for our impact on the environment. By signing the OCS pledge, we are committed to implementing measures to prevent plastic pellet loss and protect our oceans and marine life. Signing the OCS pledge is a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal."
Kainotomia Polymers Managing Director Albert Gildenhuys said, "We are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and are proud to join the OCS initiative. We believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable future and reduce the negative impact of plastic pollution on our environment."
The OCS initiative is a worldwide drive by plastics leaders to reduce plastic pollution in oceans and rivers. Plastic pollution is a significant environmental problem that affects marine life and ecosystems. Ingesting plastic items, such as pellets, can harm the ability of seabirds, turtles, and fish to breathe, swallow, or digest food properly.
Plastics|SA is a signatory of the Declaration of the Global Plastics Association for Solutions on Marine Litter which was launched in 2011. This has since grown to a global declaration and public commitment made by more than 77 plastics industry associations to address the issue of plastics in the marine environment and includes Operation Clean Sweep as a stewardship project supported by the Global Plastics Alliance.
Douw Steyn, Sustainability Director of Plastics SA, stressed that while the public is responsible for proper recycling and disposal of consumer products and packaging, the responsibility to contain plastic pellets firmly rests on the shoulders of the plastic industry. To this end, Plastics|SA has been promoting Operation Clean Sweep to the industry, developing resource materials for its members, and implementing systems aimed at containing plastics.
“Plastic pollution is a growing problem that affects the health of our oceans and the marine life that lives in them. By signing the OCS pledge, ARMSA, EPSASA, and Kainotomia Polymers have shown their commitment to reducing plastic pollution and protecting our environment. Plastics|SA applauds their commitment and encourages other companies to join the OCS initiative to create a more sustainable future for us all,” Steyn concluded.