Preventing plastic pellet loss with Operation Clean Sweep®
Marc Martens
Preventing pellet loss is essential for protecting the environment and ensuring responsible plastics handling. CurTec participates in Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) — the industry program dedicated to eliminating pellet, powder and flake loss — and has now achieved OCS Europe Certification (Version 1.0) for its efforts.
Why CurTec joined OCS
CurTec designs and manufactures high performance plastic packaging for high-value materials in demanding environments. This responsibility extends beyond product performance: it includes how we handle the raw materials used to produce our drums, pails and jars.
We joined Operation Clean Sweep® because pellet loss — even in very small quantities — can contribute to microplastic pollution in waterways, soil and marine environments. As a company committed to clean, safe and certified production, we recognized the importance of adopting a structured and proactive approach to preventing pellet loss in our own operations.
By signing the OCS pledge and integrating its principles into our processes, CurTec has embedded environmental stewardship directly into our daily production activities, supporting the long-term sustainability goals of our company and our customers.
What Operation Clean Sweep® stands for
Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) is a global initiative created to help companies across the plastics value chain prevent the unintentional release of microplastics such as pellets, powders and flakes.
The program focuses on:
- Preventing spills and leakages at production and handling sites
- Training employees to recognize, prevent and report pellet loss
- Establishing proper containment, good housekeeping and cleaning procedures
- Ensuring safe storage, transport and transfer of plastic materials
- Documenting practices to support monitoring and continuous improvement
- Encouraging industry-wide efforts to reduce microplastics in the environment
- Raising awareness of pellet-loss risks at every level of the organization
By establishing a uniform and practical framework, OCS helps companies ensure that plastic materials are handled responsibly — from factory floor to finished product.
Visit the Operation Clean Sweep® website
What joining OCS means for companies like CurTec
For manufacturers, joining OCS is more than an environmental initiative — it is an operational commitment that embeds a culture of zero pellet loss. Participation in OCS helps companies to:
- Implement best-practice handling procedures
OCS provides structured guidance for establishing effective spill-prevention, containment and clean-up measures. - Strengthen employee awareness
Tailored training ensures teams understand how pellet loss occurs, how to avoid it, and why it matters — reinforcing strong housekeeping standards across operations. - Enhance operational excellence
Robust procedures, ergonomic equipment and a disciplined approach to good housekeeping give companies stronger control over material flows, reducing unnecessary losses and supporting clean, efficient and reliable production. - Identify risks and convert them into targeted action plans
A structured risk-assessment framework helps pinpoint where losses could occur and defines clear, practical measures to prevent them. - Stay ahead of growing sustainability and regulatory expectations
OCS certification demonstrates proactive compliance and assures customers that a company handles plastic responsibly and transparently. - Support global microplastic-reduction efforts
By preventing pellet loss at the source, companies contribute to meaningful environmental protection.
For CurTec, joining OCS aligned perfectly with our values: clean production, safe processes and certified reliability.
Achieving OCS Europe certification (version 1.0)
OCS Europe Certification is an independent verification that a company complies with the requirements of the OCS Europe Certification Scheme — the official, recognized standard for pellet-loss prevention within Europe.
CurTec achieved certification after completing a comprehensive audit covering:
- Material handling procedures
- Infrastructure and equipment controls
- Employee training and responsibilities
- Spill prevention, containment and cleanup protocols
- Monitoring and documentation practices
- Risk assessment and improvement planning
This certification confirms that CurTec’s production sites operate according to the highest standards for responsible plastics management and environmental protection.
Download the OCS Europe certificate
Our ongoing commitment
Preventing pellet loss is not a one-time effort — it is a continuous discipline. CurTec will keep improving its processes, investing in equipment, and training its people to ensure that we handle every pellet, powder and flake with care.
With OCS Europe Certification, CurTec reinforces its commitment to sustainable, responsible and transparent manufacturing.
