Florida Summer Plastic Pellet Patrol

Why are we patrolling

Calling all plastic fighters, ocean lovers, and wildlife warriors! Put your eagle-eye skills to the test and help us remove plastic pellets from our waterways. Plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, are shipped all over the world to manufacturing facilities where they become common items made of plastic. These pellets are often spilled in transport or dumped by the facilities that process them. They end up in our waterways, on our beaches and inside the bellies of our wildlife. The problem is recognized worldwide. An estimated 10 trillion pellets are dumped into our oceans each year, making it the second largest source of marine microplastic pollution by weight. In Florida plastic pellets have been found all up and down our coasts.

Pellet collection with purpose

Our goal is to collect current data on pellet spills in Florida, then use that data to call on our congressional leaders to help stop plastic pollution. We need them to support efforts like the Plastic Pellet Free Waterways Act. Currently pellet spills are not regulated, so even though pellets can be toxic to the environment and marine life, dumping them is not actually illegal. This bill will address the problem by prohibiting spilling or dumping plastic pellets.

Sign up for a patrol

We are teaming up with ocean advocates from 6 regions of the state to hold pellet patrols. Help us collect this important data and remove this harmful plastic from the environment. A brief training will be provided at the event. Click the links below to sign up for a patrol near you.

North East Plastic Pellet Patrols

North West Plastic Pellet Patrols

Central Plastic Pellet Patrols

Central Coast Plastic Pellet Patrols

South East Plastic Pellet Patrols

South West Plastic Pellet Patrols

We picked locations based on few factors:

• Proximity to ports, railroads and highways where pellets are transported
• History of discovery, pellets have been found here before
• Presence of plastic manufacturing plants in the area

Taking action together

At Environment Florida we believe in the power of advocacy. The data you’ll collect as part of these patrols is a crucial component of holding people who spill these pellets accountable. Make a pellet patrol part of your personal story of action for Florida marine life. When people who care about their community and their planet come together, powerful solutions have a chance to grow. Join us on patrol!

Can’t make a patrol? Make a donation to help stop plastic pollution.