OCS Blue

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

Conduct regular training and new employee onboarding on resin handling, loss prevention, containment, and clean up.
Display the OCS Blue certificate, plaque, and posters in public areas to reinforce commitment.
Periodically conduct internal audits to confirm whether management systems meet the requirements and objectives of OCS Blue.
Enable employees to provide feedback on the company’s plastic resin containment program.
Establish written procedures and checklists to locate potential risks, prevent resin loss, and manage clean up.
Periodically conduct site inspections based on risks.
Educate transportation partners to help them understand the importance of OCS and their participation.
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.
Participate in an OCS event at least once per year.
Report OCS Blue Metrics at required frequency.
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.