Evidence and Innovation

Widespread microplastic pollutant

The Great Nurdle Hunt is a community science project where individuals, communities and organisations search for plastic pellets (nurdles) and log their finds sharing photos and stories about the pollution. Other organisations working to gather evidence of nurdle pollution include   Nurdle Patrol  and academic institutions around the world

Communities impacted by plastic pellet pollution

Plastic pellet pollution is widespread but some communities are directly impacted by large numbers of nurdles these could be from a recent large scale spill, such as a shipping disaster, or the chronic build up of nurdles in coastal areas, or from local industrial activity. This can limit tourism, fishing and access and enjoyment of the local area impacting livelihood and well being. Initiatives such as the Great Nurdle Hunt and Toxic Tours document impacts with images and stories from around the world.  While many community groups are working to evidence impacts working with the press, schools, scientists and governments.

Wildlife and plastic pellets

The impacts of plastic pellets on wildlife is evidenced by first hand accounts and academic research. For example following a shipping disaster in 2021 The Pearl Protectors have been finding fish and turtles washing up with high numbers of nurdles in their body. You can also find out more about the impacts of microplastic on wildlife on our blog 

Chemicals and plastic pellets

Scientists around the world have been researching the chemicals on and in plastic pellets uncovering their toxic load. International Pellet Watch, IPEN as well as science journals are good source of information.  Worryingly recycled pellets have been found to contain banned chemicals.

Health and microplastics

The evidence around the human health impacts of microplastic is still growing. Most of the research to date is not specific to plastic pellets (nurdles) however like other plastic in the environment nurdles contribute to the growing microplastic problem as they wear down and weather into smaller and small pieces of plastic. As the staring point for plastic products nurdles also contain a number of chemicals of concern to human health and the circular economy.

Resources:

These resources have been developed by organisations around the world to support research, evidence gathering and innovation to address nurdle pollution. They can be used with appropriate credits and unless stated are not created or endorsed by Fidra or the Great Nurdle Hunt.

How to use nurdle data webinar

Organisations working on land based solutions

(Please note Fidra is not endorsing these organisations or their work we are simply helping you find people who may be working on nurdle pollution by listing them below)

If you are working on this issue and want to be listed please add yourself to our directory here