Europe's worst ever nurdle pollution incident has triggered a massive volunteer response along the River Tyne, with thousands of people joining a 'People's Army' to clear beaches.
An estimated one billion plastic pellets, known as nurdles, spilled into the water following a collision between two ships and the collapse of a gantry crane on Sunday, July 19. One port worker was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Community mobilisation
The 'Nurdle Clean Up Communities' of North Shields, South Shields, Northumberland and Sunderland gathered more than 2,000 signatures on an open letter to Port of Tyne CEO Matt Beeton, urging action. Thousands of volunteers have since turned out to collect the pellets from beaches.
Spokesperson Katie Bryson said: "Sadly it was the only way they would get cleaned up. The authorities were saying 'don't do it,' but Surfers Against Sewage urged their members to act. Thousands of people have been down on their hands and knees clearing up the beaches."
Port of Tyne response
The Port of Tyne met with green campaigners for the first time this week and is now backing the clean-up 'where it is safe to do so'. The group expressed 'outrage' over what it deemed the Port's 'inadequate response' to the incident.
Port of Tyne Chief Executive Matt Beeton said: "It was fantastic to begin a dialogue that will be so important as we all come together in the continued cleanup operation. In that sense the meeting strengthened those relationships as we work together for the best outcomes for the whole region."
He added: "It has been a complex and difficult two weeks. I am proud of our staff for the way they have responded to what was a traumatic event. It was great to speak to local people to share what happened and help them understand how we responded and why."
Environmental impact
Nurdles are tiny disc-shaped plastic pellets used as raw material for most plastic products. Campaigners warn that animals can easily mistake them for food with deadly consequences.
The environmental charity Fidra, which works to end plastic and chemical pollution, said nurdles are a global problem. Last year it found plastic nurdles at 84% of the UK's sites of special scientific interest.
The Port of Tyne, HM Coastguard, the Environment Agency, local councils, and specialist contractors are all involved in what has been called 'a coordinated multi-agency effort' to clean up after the spill. Plans are now being put in place to invite the community to help in a safe and managed way, with volunteers playing a major role in deciding how the cleanup proceeds.
