We are fortunate here in Hampshire to have incredible beaches and coastal areas on our doorstep. These natural assets support a vast ecosystem; however, our marine environment faces many threats, including pollution from discarded plastic.
A significant source of this pollution is tiny, lentil-sized pellets known as nurdles, which are used as raw materials in the manufacturing of plastic products. Despite their small size, nurdles have a massive environmental footprint, impacting marine life and coastal health. They are released into the environment and, once in the ocean, can be mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to ingestion with often fatal consequences.
You might not realise it, but these plastic pellets are closer to home than you’d think. A stroll along Hampshire’s beautiful coastline can reveal these tiny pollutants, particularly after stormy weather or near industrial areas. They are often found mixed with sand on our beaches, hiding in plain sight.
Nurdles result from the manufacture of plastics. Pellets are melted down and formed into a variety of products. By reducing our use of single-use plastic, we can play our part in decreasing the demand for plastic items and support the health of our oceans.
Whilst removing all the plastic pellets from our coastlines is unrealistic - studies have shown there are more than 170 trillion plastic particles floating in the world’s oceans – volunteer clean-ups can help to raise awareness, especially among younger participants, and provide useful insights. Several recent events of this type at Lepe Country Park have shown that children enjoy the challenge of ‘hunting’ for nurdles, helping them to understand more about the environmental challenges we all face. If you embark on your own clear up when next on a beach visit, please remember to wear gloves and always wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Any step towards cutting down on plastic, no matter how small, contributes towards a healthier ocean, safeguarding our marine life and natural heritage now and in the future. If you're interested in joining a local beach clean up, then the Marine Conservation Society often holds regular events which can be searched by date and postcode on their website mcsuk.org. Or, if you fancy hosting your own beach clean-up, then you can also sign up to free beach clean organiser training to help look after your own local coastline.
About the author
Abigayle Young is a Senior Ranger at Lepe Country Park, which forms part of Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service
