Plastic pellet loss from rail sources is an important but often overlooked source of terrestrial pellet pollution. Read our case study report to learn more on the risks of pellet pollution from rail sources and the solutions.
The Problem
Plastic pellet pollution occurs at multiple points throughout the global plastic pellet supply chain, including during transportation. The transport of plastic pellets via rail takes place in many regions and rail networks represent an important but often overlooked source of terrestrial pellet loss. Acute pellet spills can occur due to train derailments, while ongoing chronic pellet loss can occur across rail networks, for example during loading, unloading and transit. However, a lack of effective regulation to report or prevent pellet loss means that rail transport can often be overlooked as a source of acute and chronic land-based pellet pollution.
A Case Study – Pellet loss from rail transport in the USA
Rail is a commonly used mode of transporting plastic pellets in north America, including the United States of America (USA). Being a major producer, importer and exporter of primary plastics (often in pellet form) the USA is notably at risk of pellet loss from rail sources. The extensive rail freight network within the nation spans over 140,000 miles, with a high volumes of plastics transported by rail each year, and frequent derailments incidents reported across occurring the USA rail network.
Currently there is no mandatory reporting of pellet loss from rail transport or derailments, while a lack of federal regulation to effectively prevent pellet loss and address clean-up following an incident leaves the USA at risk of continued acute and chronic pellet pollution from rail sources.
This case study highlights the risks of nurdle pollution from rail sources of in the USA, however many of the findings and solutions presented in this report are applicable to other nations and regions with freight rail networks which transport plastic pellets.
Key findings:
- The USA currently lacks effective federal regulation and reporting requirements for pellet pollution from rail sources.
- 58,247 derailments occurred across the USA rail system between 1990-2024, with an average of 1,664 per year and demonstrating the high risk of train derailment in the USA rail system.
- The USA is a major producer, importer and exporter of primary plastics. In 2023, 36,024,000 tons of plastics & rubber commodities were transported via freight rail in the USA, representing the 10th most transported commodity by rail by weight.
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) estimate as many as 148 derailments involving plastic pellets have occurred across the USA between 2010 and 2021, though estimates vary.
- NGOs have documented instances of chronic pellet loss from rail sources in the USA impacting protected areas, leading to legal action against polluters.
Watch our webinar ‘Rail networks – An important source of plastic pellet pollution‘ featuring guest speakers from Nurdle Patrol, Trash 4 Tokens and Waterkeeper Alliance, to learn how rail networks can be an important but overlooked source of terrestrial pellet pollution, how communities are calling change and solutions, featuring case studies from the USA
Solutions
To effectively prevent pellet pollution from both train derailments and from ongoing chronic losses from the rail network, a legislated supply chain approach is essential. This should:
- Mandate standardised pellet handling best practices across the supply chain,
- Require independent third-party audits to monitor compliance,
- Ensure full accountability and timely clean-up in the event of a spill following derailment or from ongoing losses from rail transport.
Learn more about the supply chain approach and land based solutions to pellet pollution here.