Plastic pellets on beaches (nurdles)

Plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, have been reported on parts of the North East coastline following a vessel collision in the River Tyne on Sunday 19 July 2026. The Council is responding to reports of pellets washing up on sections of the Borough’s coastline and is working with partners to assess the extent of contamination and support clean-up activity where appropriate.

The Port of Tyne has issued a statement relating to the initial incident. You can read this here Port of Tyne Update: Plastic Pellet Spill Response | Port of Tyne.

Nurdles are tiny plastic pellets, usually around 1–5mm in size, used as raw material to manufacture plastic products such as packaging, bottles and containers.

Nurdles have been reported on sections of the North East coastline. They have washed up across the shoreline, mainly near the Tyne in South and North Shields and some have been reported along Wearside and Northumberland coastline.

Possibly. Nurdles can move with tides, wind and currents and may continue to come ashore over more than one tide cycle. Some material may also move to locations that were not previously affected. 

No. Recovery activity continues across affected parts of the North East coastline and the River Tyne.

Local authorities, the Port of Tyne, contractors, environmental experts, volunteers and community groups continue to support the recovery effort. As the response moves into its next phase, methods and resources are being reviewed and adapted to reflect conditions on the ground and operational requirements.

Recovery operations are regularly reviewed and adapted to reflect current conditions, ongoing monitoring and operational requirements.

As the response moves into its next phase, organisations involved in recovery work are ensuring resources and methods continue to be targeted where they can have the greatest impact.

The specialist consultancy representing BG Orange interests, has advised partners that it is changing the contractor-led recovery approach on beaches.

It is acting on behalf of the insurers for the container ship BG Orange and oversees the insurer-funded recovery operation.

This includes decisions on the contractor-led recovery work, including the resources and methods used as part of that operation. Separate to this, local authorities and partner organisations continue to support wider recovery activity through the regional multi-agency response arrangements.

The wider recovery operation is supported by environmental monitoring, modelling and specialist advice provided through the Scientific and Technical Advice Cell (STAC).

STAC brings together scientific and technical experts to support environmental assessment, monitoring and longer-term recovery planning.

Partners continue to monitor conditions and prepare for periods of spring tides.

Tides, wind and currents can move pellets remaining in the marine environment and may result in additional material washing ashore. Monitoring and environmental modelling help inform future recovery activity.

The exact quantity of nurdles released into the environment continues to be assessed. Partners are working to understand how much material was involved and how much has been recovered to date. 

Work is continuing to assess and record the amount of material recovered.

Recovered material from different locations is being separated and weighed to establish the proportion of nurdles collected from the original spill. This work is ongoing and a verified figure is not currently available. Further information will be shared when available.

Council teams are monitoring affected locations, supporting a coordinated clean-up operation with partner organisations, and working with the Environment Agency, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Port of Tyne, neighbouring local authorities, the Mayoral Strategic Authority specialist contractors and other agencies to assess the extent of contamination and support removal where appropriate.

Clean-up activity is being coordinated around tidal conditions, with planned work ongoing.

The nurdle clean-up is manual and time-consuming, involving methods such as rakes, brushes, sieves and bags. Nurdles are very small and can spread with tide, wind and currents. Nurdles can float, wash up on the beach and sink to the seabed.  They may be mixed with sand, stones, seaweed or other beach material. There is some equipment that makes the clean-up process faster. This equipment is now in use along the coastline to support the clean-up.

Yes, we are working with specialist organisations including Briggs Marine, helping clean-up in areas affected by plastic pellets. Briggs Marine has specialist expertise and equipment to make the clean-up faster and more efficient.

The pellets can be moved by the tide, and clean-up teams are working around tidal conditions to remove material as effectively as possible.

It is important to record the weight of collected nurdles so partners can understand how much material has been recovered over time and estimate what may remain in the environment.

Collected material needs to be stored, classified and disposed of appropriately.

Report plastic pellets on North Tyneside beaches

Information on how to report nurdles across other Local Authorities can be found on each local authority website.

People can also help the clean-up operation by avoiding stepping on nurdles or pushing them deeper into the beach's surface.

Do not dig into the sand or use mechanical equipment to collect nurdles. This can damage beach habitats and wildlife.

Move as little seaweed as possible. Check around and underneath it for nurdles, then return it to where you found it.

The public health risk on shore is considered to be very low. The plastic pellets are not toxic, but people are advised not to handle them.

The public health risks on shore are very low and that the plastic pellets are not toxic, but they can pose a risk to wildlife and other animals if ingested.

Dogs should be kept on leads in affected areas and owners should prevent pets from eating or playing with pellets.

Pellets can pose a risk to wildlife and other animals if ingested. If a dog or other pet eats pellets and you are concerned, contact a vet for advice.

People should check the latest Environment Agency bathing water advice before entering the water.

The Environment Agency’s Swimfo service gives information on designated bathing waters, incidents, water quality sample results and any advice against bathing.

The Environment Agency bathing water quality site currently advises against bathing at some beaches due to poor water quality. This was in place before nurdles were found in the area.

People should check the Environment Agency’s bathing water quality information before visiting a beach or entering the water. UKHSA’s wild swimming guidance advises people to check water quality through Swimfo before heading to a beach, lake or river, and the Environment Agency’s Swimfo service shows water quality information for designated bathing waters.

Bathing water quality

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises people to observe local safety signs, avoid swallowing water or splashing it into the mouth where possible, cover cuts and scratches with a waterproof plaster, wash hands after swimming and seek medical help if they become ill after swimming.

The Environment Agency is responsible for bathing water quality information and advice on designated bathing waters.

Nurdles can pose a risk to wildlife and other animals if they are ingested.

Nurdles are small, persistent plastic pellets and can spread through the marine environment. They can be harmful to wildlife if mistaken for food and eaten by birds, fish or other marine animals, and they can be carried by wind and sea across beaches and coastal habitats.

Partners are considering environmental sensitivities, including SSSIs and other designated sites, as part of the response.

Yes. If you find injured, sick or distressed wildlife, please do not handle it.

Do not touch dead or sick birds. Report any dead wild birds to Defra using its online reporting system at GOV.UK: Report a dead or injured animal or by calling 03459 33 55 77.

If you find other injured wildlife, contact an appropriate wildlife rescue organisation for advice and assistance.

Further guidance is available from the RSPB on what to do if you find sick or dead birds What to do if you find sick or dead birds

This is a multi-agency response involving:

• Local authorities, including North Tyneside
• the Mayoral Strategic Authority
• the Environment Agency
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
• Port of Tyne,
• Specialist contractors
• National Trust
• Other agencies.

The cause and circumstances of the vessel collision are subject to ongoing investigations.

The Council will look to recover the costs of the clean-up from the insurers of those responsible.

The pellets entered the water following a vessel collision at the Port of Tyne. The Council’s role is to support the multi-agency response, protect the coastline, support clean-up and keep residents informed. The collision and wider circumstances are subject to relevant investigations.

The Council will continue to provide updates as work progresses and more information becomes available. It is anticipated that the clean-up will take a considerable amount of time with repeat cleaning activity required at the same location as the nurdles move with the tide

More pellets may wash ashore with tides, and multiple clean-ups may be required. There will be a need for ongoing clean-up rather than a single one-off removal

No, beaches remain open at this time.

Yes. People visiting the coast should avoid handling any pellets, keep dogs on leads in affected areas, follow any on-site signage, and avoid areas where clean-up activity is taking place. People can also help the clean-up operation by avoiding stepping on nurdles or pushing them deeper into the beach's surface.

Yes. Council teams are monitoring affected locations and supporting a coordinated clean-up operation.

Yes, of course! The coastline continues to be open for business and leisure. There are lots of exciting activities taking place across our beautiful seafronts.

If you are out and about enjoying our fantastic coastline please be mindful of the important clean-up operation which is currently taking place. Please keep a distance to let our hardworking teams continue this important work.

GOV.UK has a bathing waters collection from Defra and the Environment Agency, including information on bathing water quality, classifications and local authority signage rules. GOV.UK: Bathing waters [gov.uk]

UKHSA has guidance on staying healthy while wild swimming, including checking water quality, observing local safety signs, avoiding swallowing water and washing hands after swimming. UKHSA: How to stay healthy while wild swimming [ukhsa.blog.gov.uk]

Nurdle UK provides information about microplastic clean-up and specialist equipment used in nurdle and microplastic removal. Nurdle UK

The Great Nurdle Hunt/Fidra provides information about nurdle pollution, how nurdles affect wildlife and how sightings can contribute to wider evidence gathering. The Great Nurdle Hunt [nurdle.org.uk] [nurdlehunt.org.uk]