Sara Slocum, Author at OCS

Indianapolis, Indiana – Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS), a globally recognized resin stewardship program jointly administered by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Plastics Division, successfully concluded OCS CON 2025 in Indianapolis this week. The three-day event brought together industry leaders from across the plastics value chain to advance solutions that prevent resin loss keeping plastic resin in the circular economy and out of the environment.

OCS CON serves as the industry’s premier forum for sharing tested strategies and innovations in preventing resin loss. The 2025 conference featured more than 35 speakers across 21 plus sessions, offering attendees a mix of panels, expert dialogues, and interactive discussions designed to promote collaboration, education, and continuous improvement across all segments of the plastics industry.

This year’s event welcomed more than 130 attendees and included hands-on activities that demonstrated real-world applications of OCS principles:

Two facility tours at Primex Plastics and Berry Global
A waterway cleanup in partnership with Friends of White River
An IndyCar Factory Tour at the Dallara Experience Hub and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Experience

Honoring Champions in Resin Stewardship

A highlight of OCS CON 2025 was the presentation of the Operation Clean Sweep Difference Maker Awards, recognizing individual and organizational champions who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to prevent resin loss and protect the environment.

A total of five recipients were honored for their outstanding contributions to OCS.

For more information about the winners, click here.

OCS Brand Refresh: Leading the Way in Resin Stewardship

During the closing session, OCS unveiled its new brand identityand tagline, Leading the Way in Resin Stewardship.

The brand refresh, officially announced on October 17, reinforces OCS’s leadership in responsible resin handling and reflects its evolution as a global movement dedicated to continuous improvement and measurable environmental outcomes.

“OCS CON 2025 demonstrated the incredible momentum and shared responsibility across our industry to prevent plastic resin loss and protect the environment,” said Patrick Krieger, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Policy at PLASTICS. “This year’s event underscored how innovation, transparency, and accountability are reshaping the conversation on resin stewardship. We’re not just talking about sustainability, we’re seeing it in action through new technologies, stronger partnerships, and measurable results that keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment.”

“OCS CON demonstrates how the plastics industry is leading the way on environmentally responsible solutions to resin loss, and this year was no exception,” said Adam Peer, Senior Director of Plastics Sustainability at ACC. “Collaboration and strong partnerships underscore how innovative solutions and industry practices are shared to build a cleaner world.”

The next OCS CON will take place in Houston, Texas, from October 14–16, 2026, continuing to build on the progress and partnerships established in Indianapolis. Please visit https://www.ocscon.org for more information.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.

The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents America’s Plastic Makers^SM and the hundreds of thousands of scientists, engineers and technicians who develop plastics essential to modern life. From healthcare and clean energy to transportation and safe food and water, plastics drive innovation and strengthen the U.S. economy by supporting key industries and creating well-paying jobs. Companies are investing billions annually in U.S. production and recycling, advancing manufacturing and efficiency across economic sectors. We envision a future where all plastic products are reused or recycled, conserving resources and creating a cleaner, safer and more resilient world.

Indianapolis, IN – Operation Clean Sweep®, a globally recognized resin stewardship program jointly administered by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC)’s Plastics Division, announced the recipients of the 2025 Difference Maker Awards at this year’s OCS CON in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The OCS Difference Maker Award recognizes individual and organizational champions who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to making zero resin loss a top priority.

This year, five recipients were recognized for their outstanding commitment to the goals of OCS:

OCS Blue Member Category: Chevron Phillips Chemical – Commended for robust internal efforts, including the Heel Recovery Project and a notable reduction of spills within facilities.
OCS Logistics Member Category: Frontier Logistics – Recognized for proactive and innovative strategies to address resin loss—particularly in railcar washing—through implementation of air-based cleaning technology.
OCS Base Tier Member Category: GEON Performance Solutions – Honored for raising the bar on operational excellence and embedding resin loss prevention into day-to-day operations.
Individual Corporate Category: Inge Duran (Director of Quality Assurance, Packwell) –Recognized for developing comprehensive procedures and management protocols at Packwell, and for establishing a cross-functional team dedicated to advancing resin loss prevention.
Individual Facility Category: Mike Lever (Raw Material Manager, Plastipak) – Honored for his dedication to resin loss prevention and his continued initiative to enhance OCS measures at Plastipak through creative, solutions-driven approaches.

“The recipients of this year’s OCS Difference Maker Awards represent the pinnacle of what our industry can achieve when resin loss prevention is embraced at every level,” said Patrick Krieger, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Policy at PLASTICS. “From innovative technologies to cross-functional teamwork and process improvements, these individuals and organizations are demonstrating significant leadership in environmental responsibility. Their efforts not only strengthen their own operations but also inspire broader change across the value chain and in the communities where they operate. We’re proud to honor their commitment to continuous improvement and leadership in driving us closer to our shared goal of zero resin loss.”

“This year’s recipients are shining examples that our industry is leading the way with practical and effective solutions,” said Adam Peer, Senior Director of Plastics Sustainability at ACC. “Real sustainability and environmental stewardship begins with innovative efforts that inspire us to drive toward our goals.”

Hosted by Operation Clean Sweep, OCS CON brings the full plastic value chain together in efforts towards eliminating the loss of plastic resin to the environment. This event incubates and amplifies solutions to resin loss, ranging from introductions to groundbreaking technology to comprehensive culture change strategies. In addition to diverse panels, expert dialogues, and tours, OCS CON unlocks opportunities to collaborate with industry partners and experts to keep plastic within the circular economy and out of the environment.

This year’s event took place from October 15-17, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information about OCS CON, please visit https://www.ocscon.org.

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