Statement

American Chemistry Council Supports Legislation to Protect California's Marine Environment

Assembly Bill 258 Aims to Crack Down on Companies that Violate Industry Standards for Handling Plastic Pellets Used in Manufacturing

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 9, 2007) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today announced support for legislation that would establish statewide uniform handling standards for companies that handle plastic resin pellets.  This legislation will help prevent plastic pellets from washing into storm drains, rivers and the ocean.

Assembly Bill 258 by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) directs the State Water Resources Control Board to develop by January 1, 2009, a statewide program to control the discharge of plastic resin pellets into the marine environment.  The bill would specifically require companies to, among other things, institute certain “best management practices” such as installing appropriate storm drain screens, utilizing sealed containers when handling resin pellets, and providing employees with appropriate capture devices such as a vacuum to quickly clean up spilled resin pellets. 

“This is precisely the type of law that offers a concrete and effective solution to protecting California’s coastal environment and waterways,” said Tim Shestek, director of state affairs and grassroots for ACC, whose membership includes many of the world’s leading plastic resin producers.

Pre-production plastic pellets are small BB-sized plastics used to manufacture virtually all plastic consumer goods, including soda bottles, television housing, building products and even medical devices.  Proper handling and containment of these pellets helps to prevent their accidental release into the environment, where they can enter storm drains and eventually migrate to beaches, coastal waterways and out to sea.

This legislation will enhance efforts already underway through Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), a program sponsored by ACC and other plastics industry trade associations that promotes voluntary best management practices to help control the accidental release of pellets into the environment.  The OCS program offers suggestions for handling pellets including the installation of appropriate containment systems at all storm drains, securely sealing containers when transporting and loading resin pellets, and making vacuum systems available for employees.  All of the information needed to implement OCS is available free of charge and on-line at www.opcleansweep.org.

“As a first step, companies that will need to meet the requirements of AB 258 can look to the Operation Clean Sweep guidelines for some tools and tips on good housekeeping practices,” said Shestek. 

Shestek applauded Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D-Glendale) for working with industry to help bolster existing programs that not only protect the environment but make sense from a business standpoint as well.

“We commend Assemblyman Krekorian and his staff for this thoughtful, conscientious and inclusive approach,” he said. “The result is a piece of legislation that is not just symbolic, but a meaningful and common-sense way to address this marine debris issue.”