OCS Blue is the most robust tier of Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) in the US and demonstrates significant leadership in protecting the environment, preserving water quality, and strengthening worker safety.

Requirements of OCS Blue build upon the foundational requirements of OCS and requires 100% of plastic resin handling facilities in the US to be on-boarded, as well as participate in data reporting. OCS Blue Verification, the program’s facility-level external inspection program, is also a new requirement for material suppliers and processors in OCS Blue after the launch of OCS Blue Verification in September 2023. 

To join OCS Blue, please email ocs@plasticsindustry.org to request the OCS Blue Membership Application and for additional information on OCS Blue annual membership dues. Upon joining OCS Blue, members will receive an OCS Blue Plaque, the OCS Blue Logo for use in marketing materials, and recognition of membership on the OCS website and OCS Newsletter. 

Please see below for additional information on OCS Blue requirements, including data reporting and OCS Blue Verification, as well as a full list of OCS Blue members. 

 

OCS Blue Verification 

As an external, facility-level inspection program, OCS Blue Verification brings a new level of rigor and transparency to the OCS Blue program. Launched in September 2023, OCS Blue Verification is uniquely available to OCS Blue members in the US and is a requirement for all material suppliers and processors in the program. 

Please consult the Guide to OCS Blue Verification for comprehensive information on how the OCS Blue Verification program works, including the program’s verification cycle and the percentage of facilities required to achieve OCS Blue Verification in each cycle. Complementing the Guide, the OCS Blue Verification Framework outlines all 29 required management practices that comprise an OCS Blue Verification inspection.  

OCS Blue Verification inspections can be conducted by approved OCS Blue Verifiers that meet eligibility criteria. For all current companies with OCS Blue Verifiers, please consult the list here.

 

OCS Blue Data Reporting 

OCS Blue members commit to reporting OCS Blue Metrics to the program on an ongoing basis. OCS Blue data reporting occurs at the company-level. Historically, OCS Blue data reporting has occurred annually. However, starting in 2024, OCS Blue data reporting will occur once per quarter.  

OCS Blue Metrics consist of the number and volume of incidents of any unrecovered release of plastic pellets, flakes, powders[1], or granules, within the physical custody[2] of a member company, from containment to ground or water outside member-operated facilities and estimated to be greater than 0.5 liters or 0.5 kilograms per incident. 

[1] See Operation Clean Sweep Guidance Manual for provisions regarding plastic dust.

[2] “Physical custody” means holding the property under physical (visible) possession.

 

OCS Blue Requirements 

  1. Conduct regular training and new employee onboarding on resin handling, loss prevention, containment, and clean up. 
  2. Display the OCS Blue certificate, plaque, and posters in public areas to reinforce commitment. 
  3. Periodically conduct internal audits to confirm whether management systems meet the requirements and objectives of OCS Blue. 
  4. Enable employees to provide feedback on the company’s plastic resin containment program. 
  5. Establish written procedures and checklists to locate potential risks, prevent resin loss, and manage clean up. 
  6. Periodically conduct site inspections based on risks. 
  7. Educate transportation partners to help them understand the importance of OCS and their participation. 
  8. Share an experience or successful strategy at least once per year from your company’s implementation of OCS Blue with the OCS program for potential use in OCS resources. 
  9. Participate in an OCS event at least once per year. 
  10. Report OCS Blue Metrics at required frequency. 
  11. Complete OCS Blue Verification for required facilities during each verification cycle.

 

OCS Blue Members

  • A&R Bulk-Pak
  • Advanced Drainage Systems
  • Alterra Energy
  • Americas Styrenics LLC
  • BASF Corporation
  • Bayport Polymers LLC
  • Berry Global
  • Braskem
  • Bulkmatic LLC
  • C&G/Mercury Plastics
  • Celanese
  • Chase Plastics Services
  • Chevron Phillips Chemical
  • Covestro LLC
  • Custom Commodities
  • Dart Container
  • Dow
  • DuPont
  • Eastman
  • EE-Jay Motor Transports, Inc.
  • ExxonMobil Chemical
  • Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.
  • Fortron Industries
  • Frontier Logistics
  • Frontier Transport
  • G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation
  • Gulf Coast Growth Ventures
  • Ingenia Polymers
  • Inteplast Group
  • IST Logistics
  • LyondellBasell
  • Novolex
  • Occidental Chemical Company
  • Packwell
  • Petroleum Service Corporation (PSC Group, LLC)
  • Plastic Express
  • PreZero US, Inc.
  • Quantix SCS
  • Ray-Mont Logistics
  • R&J Trucking
  • RSI Leasing
  • SABIC
  • Shell Chemical
  • Solvay
  • Sunrise Plastic
  • Sunrise Services, LLC
  • TALKE USA
  • TotalEnergies Petrochemicals and Refining, Inc.
  • Trinseo
  • Vinmar International LLC

OCS Blue Members

  • Americas Styrenics LLC
  • Bedford Industries, Inc.
  • Berry Global
  • C&G Mercury Plastics
  • Celanese Corporation
  • Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
  • ExxonMobil Chemical Company
  • G&D Trucking, Inc./ Hoffman Transportation LLC
  • Inteplast Group
  • King Plastics, Inc.
  • LyondellBasell Industries
  • Packwell
  • PakTech
  • Plastics Plus Technology, Inc.
  • Repsco Inc.
  • Roplast Industries, Inc.
  • SABIC
  • Shell Chemical Company
  • Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC
  • Dow Chemical Company
  • Trinseo LLC
  • Plastic Express
  • Braskem
  • Ingenia Polymers Inc.
  • Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem)
  • Frontier Transport, NA, LP
  • Covestro LLC
  • Custom Commodities Transport
  • RSI Leasing, Inc.
  • Dart Container Corporation
  • Dartco of Texas LLP
  • Dart Polymers
  • Solo Cup Operating Company
  • Chase Plastics Services Inc.
  • Bayport Polymers LLC
  • R&J Trucking, Inc.

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