Today, the Student PIRGs and coalition partners released the results of a massive citizen science project about plastic pellet pollution.
Plastic pellets are tiny pre-production bits of plastic used to manufacture everything from bottles to packaging, and they are one of the stealthiest sources of microplastic pollution. They spill, they wash off, and they accumulate, often out of sight. But out of sight doesn’t mean out of impact. These pellets are entering our waterways, our beaches, and our environments at alarming rates.
That’s why, in May, student PIRGs teamed up with Environment America Research & Policy Center, Environmental Action, Nurdle Patrol, 5 Gyres, Waterkeeper Alliance, and others to launch the first International Plastic Pellet Count, an international citizen science effort to document how many of these pellets are out there, and where.
What we found
- Across 14 countries and 29 U.S. states, volunteers counted almost 50,000 pellets.
- In about 68% of all the sample events, at least one pellet was found. That means the problem is widespread
In places where volunteers didn’t find pellets, that fact is also important. It helps us pinpoint where plastic pellet pollution might not yet be detectable — or where it’s possible that regulations or mitigation are more effective.
Why this matters (and what we want you to do)
We see clear evidence that plastic pellet pollution is not a niche problem. It’s everywhere. And because plastic pellets are so small, so mobile, and often unregulated, they slip through many environmental protections. Eventually, they affect wildlife, water quality, possibly even human health.
The data is clear. We’re leveraging the results to call for real stronger regulatory policies that prevent pellet spills and require companies to contain their plastic throughout production and transport.
If you want to get involved to advocate for solutions, let us know here.