Plastics stewardship and preventing leakage to the environment
Plastics remain among the most valuable, versatile materials in society, enabling applications in health, energy, food, and infrastructure. However, mismanaged plastic waste is a major global concern, particularly in the marine environment.
INEOS and global marine litter commitments
The UN SDG framework demands action on plastic pollution, including SDG 14.1 on reducing marine pollution from land-based activities. The Plastics Europe Declaration for Solutions on Marine Litter outlines six priority areas: awareness, research, best practices, knowledge sharing, recovery, and pellet loss prevention.
INEOS is aligned with these principles, particularly through its commitment to Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) in Europe, the industry’s leading programme to eliminate pellet loss.
Operation Clean Sweep: zero pellet loss commitment
INEOS has implemented OCS measures at all of its European polymer sites, including containment technologies, site redesign, driver training, supply chain controls, and regular audits. This work directly supports UN SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and Plastics Europe’s anti-litter commitments. INEOS contributes directly to multiple waste and circularity related UN SDGs.
SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
- Reduction of chemical pollution and untreated wastewater (6.3).
- Safe water management across sites with state-of-the-art treatment plants.
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Waste prevention, recycling, and reduction (12.5).
- Environmentally sound chemicals and waste management (12.4).
- Sustainable resource use (12.2).\
INEOS’ adoption of recycled/renewable feedstocks, advanced recycling technologies, and design for recycling enhances circularity across multiple sectors.
Our efforts position INEOS as a leading actor in the global transition towards a lower waste, lower emissions, more circular material economy – fully aligned with the ambitions and responsibilities set out in the UN SDGs and Agenda 2.
SDG 13: Climate action
- Waste reduction and circular materials lower emissions.
- Advanced recycling avoids the carbon intensity of virgin polymer production.
- Sustainable supply chain practices reduce lifecycle emissions.
SDG 14: Life below water
- Preventing marine litter and pellet loss (14.1).
- Participation in OCS and Plastics Europe’s global marine litter initiatives.
While significant progress has been made, INEOS recognises that achieving a truly circular plastics system requires collective, system-wide transformation.
