Six more firms have joined Operation Clean Sweep Blue, an elite level of the voluntary Operation Clean Sweep Plastic resin loss prevention program.OCS is organized by the Plastics Industry Association and the American Chemistry Council. Blue status is achieved by exceeding rigorous standards set by OCS, officials said in a news release.New OCS Blue members are: • Chase Plastic Services, a Clarkston, Mich.-based resin distributor with a warehouse in South Bend, Ind.• Bayport Polymers LLC, a high density polyethylene resin maker in Pasadena, Texas.• Fortron Industries Inc., a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin maker in Wilmington, N.C.• Intertape Polymers Corp., a maker of plastic and paper packaging in Sarasota, Fla.• R&J Trucking, a shipping firm in Youngstown, Ohio.• Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA Inc., a maker of polypropylene, polystyrene and other materials in Houston. In the release, Mandy Crabtree, Chase distribution center manager, said that OCS Blue “helped us take the next step to protect the environment from plastic pellet pollution.” “All Chase Plastics’ warehouse employees have signed the Operation Clean Sweep pledge, and we hold each other accountable to do our part,” she added. OCS Blue demonstrates the six companies’ commitment to preventing plastic from entering the environment or becoming marine debris, officials said. By achieving the elite status, they added, the firms are held to a higher standard to eliminate resin loss by conducting site audits, increasing employee awareness and improving equipment, processes and procedures at their facilities.The Plastics Industry Association “is proud of managing [OCS],” Patrick Krieger, materials and sustainability senior director, said. “Our industry recognizes the importance of ensuring that plastic is manufactured in a way that seeks to eliminate the loss of resin into the environment,” he added.Joshua Baca, ACC plastics vice president, said that “America’s plastic makers congratulate the latest companies to achieve OCS Blue status, and we encourage every company that makes or handles plastic pellets to do the same.”Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you’d like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at Please enter a valid email address.Please enter your email address.Please verify captcha.Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe. Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. Subscribe to Plastics News Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.Customer Service: