They might have a cute sounding name, but nurdles are a threat to the marine environment, and to our own health. The tiny plastic pellets disappear into the food chain, ‘more and more studies are finding that microplastics, defined as plastic pieces less than 5 millimetres across, are also in our bodies.’

Fidra, the environmental charity, has published reports on two major nurdle pollution events which have spilled the tiny plastic pellets into our seas and shores in 2025.

In March following a collision between two ships in the North Sea off England’s east coast, a major nurdle spill occurred.

At 09:47 on Monday 10 March, the vessel MV SOLONG, sailing under the flag of Madeira, collided with the anchored vessel MV STENA IMMACULATE in the North Sea, a fuel tanker sailing under the flag of the United States, and operated by the US Navy. The collision occurred approximately 13 nautical miles off the coast. – UK Government Statement, Mike Kane MP, Department of Transport.

Fidra published this:

Shortly after the collision, individual and burnt clumps of nurdles began to wash up on beaches along the English coastline, heavily impacting Norfolk’s protected wetland area, known as the Wash. Over 10,000kg of plastic was recovered, but the impacts of this spill are likely to be felt for many years to come. 

HM Coastguard were monitoring the plastic pollution coming ashore.

On Wednesday 9 April, 8.30pm Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: 

“HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the SOLONG as a result of the collision, including plastic nurdles, in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire. The clean-up operation has now moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.”

It is likely that the nurdles entered the water at the point of collision. Nurdles are not toxic but can present a risk to wildlife if ingested. Plastic nurdles or suspected pollution along the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast or surrounding areas should be reported online at north-norfolk.gov.uk/plastic-nurdles. If possible, please provide an exact location using a grid reference or What Three Words. 

In another incident, this time off India’s western coast in Kerala, the MSC ELSA 3 container ship sank, spilling millions of nurdles. The plastic pellets washed up on the east coast and affected states along the west.

Fidra commented: ‘The ship sank in the Malabar Upwelling Region (MUR), one of the world’s richest upwelling zones—where nutrient-rich waters rise due to ocean currents and Earth’s rotation. This region is vital for marine biodiversity and global fish stocks, making it crucial for food security. ‘

‘These spills once again highlight the urgent need for international mandatory regulation to prevent nurdle loss from maritime transportation and throughout the plastic supply chain, as well as clear response protocols for when such disasters occur.’

On 8 April 2024, the EU Council and the European Parliament provisionally agreed on a regulation on preventing the loss of plastic pellets – the industrial raw materials used to make plastic products – into the environment. The new rules will help improve the handling of plastic pellets at all stages of the supply chain, both on land and sea.

Paulina Hennig-Kloska, Polish Minister for Climate and Environment, said:

“Microplastics, including plastic pellets are now found everywhere — in our oceans, seas and even in the food we eat. Each year, the equivalent of up to 7,300 truckloads of plastic pellets are lost to the environment. Today, the EU has taken a landmark step toward reducing pellet pollution by adopting measures to tackle losses and ensure correct handling, including in maritime transport.”

It is estimated that between 52 140 and 184 290 tonnes of pellets were lost into the environment in the EU in 2019. Maritime transport accounted for around 38% of all pellets transported in the EU in 2022.

Currently, no EU rules specifically cover plastic pellet losses, despite their adverse impacts on the environment, the climate, the economy and potentially on human health. Plastic pellets rank third among the largest sources of unintentional microplastic releases, after paints and tyres.

To increase awareness and understanding about the impact plastic pollution, and in particular nurdles are having on our environment, Fidra has produced  a new series ‘Stories of Pellet Pollution’ It contains first-hand accounts from communities and organisations around the world who are impacted by nurdle pollution and how they are calling for change to end nurdle pollution.

The Great Nurdle Hunt will again be taking place this year. This world wide citizen science event takes place between the 1st – 31st October 2025.   

Fiona Grahame

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Domestic Transport: the Largest Source of Emissions in Scotland Since 2013.