Planet Aware Bringing Great Nurdle Hunt To Isle Of Wight This Month

This September, local community group, Planet Aware, are calling for Islanders to get involved in a global plastic pollution survey: “THE GREAT NURDLE HUNT”, ahead of the United Nations (UN) Global Plastic Treaty negotiations.

The data collected from surveys of plastic pellets on Island beaches will be added to data collected around the world on these plastic pellets.

With hundreds of volunteers and organisations across the planet set to take part, it will help to uncover the extent of this industrial plastic pollution.

Evidence from the Global Nurdle Hunt is vital for work on finding solutions to nurdle pollution and Islanders can help.

The data from the “hunts” can be logged at www.nurdlehunt.org.uk to help build a global map of nurdle pollution.

Planet Aware has a schedule of nurdle hunts during September on its website and is also calling on individuals and other community groups to get
involved in their own nurdle hunts.

They are happy to support schools, local youth groups and others who want to take part and undertake their own nurdle hunts.

The annual event is organised by environmental charity, FIDRA; the evidence of this international plastic pollution crisis is mapped globally to share at the Global Plastics Treaty.

Plastic pellets (also known as nurdles) are a form of microplastic pollution, which enter the environment through container spills, poor handling and manufacturing practices.

Every year, across the world, an estimated 445,970 tonnes of plastic pellets are spilled into the environment.

More than 220 marine species have been shown to ingest microplastic debris.

Nurdles have been found in the stomachs and digestive tracts of a variety of species, from seabirds in the North Sea and Australia to green turtles and fish off the coasts of Brazil.

Globally, nurdle pollution can have further negative impacts to local economies and industry such as fishing and tourism.

Dani Whitlock, Project Officer, Fidra, said:

“The Great Global Nurdle Hunt provides crucial evidence of nurdle pollution, but also shows decision makers that people really care and want to see further action to address this issue.

"Results from this year’s hunt will be used to inform and influence the UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations, which conclude in December 2024.

"It is a great time to get involved and make an impact, by taking part and logging your finds.”

The good news is that there are solutions to nurdle pollution. From trialling solutions with the Scottish government and industry close to home, to raising awareness with EU decision-makers, the United Nations and global trade associations, Fidra are pushing for solutions that work at an
international scale.

They are calling for industry to take responsibility of the pellets they handle and ensure that effective best practice measures are implemented at all stages of the supply chain where pellets are handled, to stop this loss at source.

Fidra are calling on governments to implement effective laws to ensure that all stages of plastic supply chains are addressed and best practice is followed.