Image © Leah Pattem
Spring tide brings new urgency to North East England nurdle clean-up effort
Volunteers warn a spring tide could spread more nurdles across north east beaches as clean-up efforts continue following the River Tyne plastic pellet spill.
As a spring tide approached the North East England coast between 14-18th August, volunteers and conservationists are urging people to join the ongoing effort to remove plastic nurdles (or pellets) from local beaches before they are carried further out to sea.
Three weeks after an estimated 17 tonnes of nurdles were spilled into the River Tyne following a collision at the Port of Tyne, thousands of volunteers continue to work tirelessly to protect local wildlife and coastal habitats.
The community response has been remarkable. More than 5,300 volunteer hours have been dedicated to the clean-up effort, including almost 4,900 hours spent collecting nurdles across 2,336 beach cleaning sessions. Volunteers have also contributed hundreds of hours coordinating activities, producing reusable collection bags and supporting a growing network of local clean-up hubs. Together, they estimate they have removed around half a tonne of nurdles from beaches across the region.
However, the approaching spring tide is likely to bring more to our shores.
The swell could churn up sand and seaweed, bringing buried nurdles back to the surface and into the water. This is a crucial window in which every available resource needs to be focussed on recovery before more pellets are dispersed along the coast and out to sea.local surf instructor
Despite reports that the official response is progressing, local campaigners feel that there is limited information about how many nurdles have been recovered in the river and marine environment by the authorities, and how many remain in circulation. Millions of pellets are believed to remain trapped within the river system, marinas and harbours, continuing to wash up on beaches from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to Roker.
For conservation organisations and volunteers, the greatest concern remains the potential impact on wildlife. Although nurdles are not toxic themselves, they can absorb pollutants from seawater and are often mistaken for food by birds, fish and other marine animals.
Volunteers have already recorded footage of birds appearing to consume nurdles along the River Tyne and nearby beaches.
Nurdles are scattered among seaweed, rocks and sand, exactly where many birds forage for food. Birds, fish and marine mammals can mistake them for prey, filling their stomachs with indigestible plastic that can cause injury or starvation.Nextdoor Nature Officer, Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Alongside the clean-up effort, we are calling for stronger action to prevent similar incidents in the future and are backing a parliamentary petition the calls for mandatory zero pellet loss measures in the UK. This would bring our legislation in line with new European standards for the handling and transport of plastic pellets. We would urge our supporters to sign the petition, to help raise awareness of the need for further action.
One thing remains clear, as communities prepare for the spring tide, that whilst volunteer efforts have achieved an extraordinary amount, protecting our wildlife and coastline will require continued support and a collective commitment to preventing plastic pollution at source.
The community-run Nurdle Hub NE has issued a press release about the spring tides to raise awareness of the need for continued action. You can find upcoming clean-up events on their website.
