Plastics are currently in the media spotlight, as their very high durability, an indisputable advantage from the point of view of the principles of the Circular Economy, means that the incorrect management of the waste they generate is lasting over time, and their presence is very evident as a source of pollution at a global level. It should not be forgotten that microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, in many cases invisible to the human eye, have already been considered as an emerging pollutant, and therefore, it is necessary to proceed to their proper management and prevent their discharge into the environment.

It is therefore necessary to act to prevent improperly managed plastic waste from polluting our ecosystems. To this end, in addition to the regulatory actions that different countries, especially the European Union, are implementing, the industry is launching its own initiatives to contribute to this purpose.

The Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) programme is a global voluntary initiative of the plastics industry, which aims to prevent the unintentional loss of plastic particles to the environment. In Spain, this programme, licensed by ANAIP (Spanish Plastics Industry Association) is supported by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD).

Molecor, assuming the responsibility derived from its production activity in the manufacture of PVC pipes and fittings in this issue, and as part of the value chain of the plastics industry, is #industrycommitted to the preservation of ecosystems, including the marine environment. For this reason, all manufacturing plants in Spain have adhered to the OCS programme since 2020.

This adhesion, in addition to the commitment, involves carrying out a diagnosis of the situation of the plant, mapping the possible emission sources, applying codes of good practice for cleaning and sludge control, and implementing the necessary actions for the prevention and mitigation of possible sources of leaks into the environment at all stages of the production process, without forgetting the need to train and sensitise all employees.

To reinforce this commitment, in 2021 the Loeches (Madrid) production plant, which manufactures TOM® pipes and ecoFITTOM® Oriented PVC (PVC-O) fittings, obtained the corresponding AENOR certificate of conformity.

The other production plants in Spain joined this certification, which is currently voluntary, obtaining the corresponding certificates of conformity for the plants in Alovera (Guadalajara), Alcázar de San Juan (Ciudad Real) and Antequera (Málaga), which manufacture, among others, the following products: pipes and fittings for evacuation (EVAC+ and AR®), non-pressure sanitation pipes (SANECOR®), and pressure pipes in PVC-U.

These certificates have been obtained in accordance with the OCS Europe scheme, which has been developed by various European certification bodies in response to the new legislation that is being established in Europe on microplastics, which will make it compulsory to certify a scheme of good practices in this area.

Molecor is aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2023, and its activity contributes to several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in this case, these actions contribute directly to SDG14 Underwater Life, the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans must continue to be a priority.