Small Pellets, Big Impact: Plastic Pellet Pollution Around the World

Global awareness of plastic pellet pollution is increasing. Small plastic pieces, known as nurdles, often escape into the environment during the pre-production stage of plastic manufacturing. They vary in size, with many being sufficiently large to be collected manually. The plastic pellets frequently contaminate waterways and are recognized as harmful to wildlife. Owing to their small size and widespread distribution, these pellets are extremely difficult to remove once introduced into the environment.

A recent study highlighted by Inside Climate News reported the collection of nearly 50,000 plastic pellets across 200 sites in 14 countries, with 68 percent of surveys detecting at least one pellet. In Texas, volunteers recovered 23,115 plastic pellets. While one 10-minute count at Cox Creek in Texas yielded 18,000 pellets near a plastic plant. International volunteers gathered smaller amounts, such as 288 pellets in a 10-minute count at a beach.

Reference

Dalban, L. (2025, September 17). Communities around the world find plastic pellets in their local waterways. Inside Climate News. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/17092025/plastic-pellets-pollute-waterways-around-the-world/