Up to one billion plastic pellets spill into River Tyne after cargo ship collision
Authorities are responding to a major environmental incident after up to 25 tonnes of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, entered the River Tyne following a collision between two sh
By The Guardian
A major environmental clean-up is under way after up to 25 tonnes of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, spilled into the River Tyne following a collision between two ships at the Port of Tyne.
The incident happened on Sunday, when the Wind Orca collided with the berthed container ship BG Orange, damaging a dockside crane. One man was injured in the collision and was taken to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
South Tyneside Council said the plastic pellets have spread further than initially feared, with contamination now reported along parts of the coastline.
Environmental charity Fidra estimates the spill could involve around one billion nurdles, making it one of the largest reported plastic pellet spills in UK waters.
Nurdles are small plastic pellets, typically measuring between 1mm and 5mm, which are used as the raw material for manufacturing most plastic products. Because of their size and buoyancy, they can be carried long distances by tides and currents, making them difficult to recover once released into the environment.
The pellets were discovered on Littlehaven Beach on Monday, prompting public health advice from South Tyneside Council. Residents have been urged not to touch the pellets, while dog owners have been asked to keep pets on leads and away from affected areas.
The council is working with the Environment Agency, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Port of Tyne to assess the full extent of the spill and coordinate the environmental response.
Experts warn that nurdles pose a significant threat to wildlife because seabirds, fish and marine mammals can mistake them for food. Once ingested, the pellets can cause internal injury or starvation and may also absorb harmful pollutants from surrounding seawater.
Investigations into the cause of the collision are continuing, while clean-up efforts focus on limiting the spread of the plastic pellets and reducing the long-term environmental impact. Authorities have asked anyone who finds nurdles on beaches or along the riverbank to report them rather than attempting to remove them themselves.