Plastic Nurdles Contaminate Majority of UK’s Protected Natural Sites
Southampton, UK – A new report reveals plastic nurdles – small plastic pellets used in manufacturing – have been found at 84% of Sites of Special scientific Interest (SSIs) across the UK, raising concerns about widespread environmental contamination. The findings, released by the environmental association Fidra, highlight the pervasive nature of plastic pollution stemming from industrial handling and accidental spills throughout the supply chain.
an estimated 53 billion nurdles are lost into the surroundings in the UK annually. Particularly affected areas include the River Itchen in Southampton, encompassing the Chessel Bay nature reserve, and the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
These tiny plastic pieces pose a significant threat to wildlife, as animals frequently enough mistake them for food, leading to poisoning. Nurdles also degrade into microplastics, entering the food chain and perhaps impacting both animal and human health due to their ability to contain toxic chemicals.
“It is shocking to see nature reserve and protected areas around the UK impacted by plastic pellet pollution,” said Megan Kirton, Fidra’s senior project officer. “These precious sanctuaries are being contaminated by preventable industrial pollution.”
Fidra is now calling for coordinated global policy and legislation to enforce best practices and prevent nurdle spills during transport and handling. The organization is also urging the International Maritime Organization to implement mandatory safety measures for nurdle transportation to minimize losses at sea.
