On Tuesday 23rd April, the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) voted overwhelmingly in favour(538 votes in favour, 32 against) of new regulation which aims to prevent nurdle pollution from some sources across the EU. This new regulation proposal includes mandatory minimumrequirements for companies throughout the nurdle supply chain to prevent nurdle loss to the environment. The passing of thisvote is an important step forward in preventing some sources of nurdle pollution in the EU and sets a precedent for action to end nurdle pollution globally through mandatory measures.
However gaps in the new regulation remain, with businesseshandling under 1,000 tonnes of nurdles per year (enough nurdles to cover an area the size of the Vatican!) exempt from manymandatory measures. It is important that these loopholes are closed to ensure that all sources of nurdle pollution are addressed.
Evidence of nurdle pollution across the EU and the world has been documented by volunteers taking part in the Great Nurdle Hunt. The data collected helped to highlight the scale of the issue and supported calls for MEPs and policy makers to take action to address nurdle pollution. Learn how you can help gather important evidence of nurdle pollution as we continue to call for action bytaking part!
A comprehensive global plastics treaty is an important step in addressing plastic pollution globally from all sources, including nurdles. The treaty offers a significant opportunity to address the issue of nurdle pollution worldwide, with regulation vital to preventing nurdle pollution across the global plastic supply chain. Many had hoped more progress would be made at the latest round of negotiations in Nairobi (INC3), with some observers critical of the role of a small number of oil producing nations in frustrating negotiations, however a number positive steps were made toward a final treaty.
Today we launch the results from 10 years of The Great Nurdle Hunt! Between 2013 – 2023 volunteers and organisations have taken part in a nurdle hunt and helped to gather important evidence of nurdle pollution around the world and call for action!
Guest blogger Falco Martin, Fauna and Flora explores if the International Maritime Organisation will prevent pellet pollution
Falco Martin, Programme Officer, Marine Plastics and has been following discussions at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is advocating to stop this preventable pollution spilling into our ocean.
Every day, millions of plastic pellets are pouring into our ocean, spilling from ships transporting them around the world. It is a scandal that these pellets are being allowed to pollute our ocean, especially when it is entirely preventable.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. Following several pellet pollution disasters at sea in recent years, such as the MV X-Press Pearl in 2021, (where approximately 1,680 tonnes of plastic pellets were spilled along the coast of Sri Lanka), many delegations at the IMO called for urgent action and supported proposals to classify plastic pellets to make them subject to much stricter shipping regulations.
The Great Global Nurdle Hunt 2023 is underway! From the 1st – 31st October Nurdle Hunters across the world will be taking part in the world’s biggest nurdle hunt and you can join in too!