Statement: New bill tackles the large threat posed by tiny plastics

An estimated ten trillion plastic pellets enter oceans each year

WASHINGTON – Representatives. Mike Levin (CA), Mary Peltola (AK) and dozens of cosponsors introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act on Wednesday. Plastic pellets, also called nurdles, are often dumped by manufacturers or spilled during transport because they are small (about the size of a lentil), cheap and easily contaminated. Recently, a train crash spilled plastic pellets along Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River. Once in our waterways, it’s easy for animals to mistake them for food and, if they eat enough plastic, they can starve to death. 

Clean water organizations and volunteers have documented pellet dumping and spills across the United states, including in Oregon, Texas, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.  More than 63% of Great Lakes beaches surveyed in 2020 contained nurdles.  

In response to the new legislation, experts released the following statements:

Lisa Frank, executive director of Environment America’s Washington Legislative Office said: 

“Plastic pollution is everywhere. Fragments have been found at popular fishing spots in Alaska and in Pennsylvania’s top trout streams, on our beaches and in the Great Lakes. When animals ingest this plastic, they can get sick and die. We should do everything we can to stop this pollution, but shockingly, some companies still dump and spill large quantities of plastic pellets into our waterways. That’s why Congress must pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act.”

Faran Savitz, Zero Waste Advocate with PennEnvironment, said:

“Every day, we’re served tons of plastic cups, containers, bags and other plastic which becomes waste – but the problems with plastic start long before that. Companies frequently dump or spill pre-production plastic pellets, or nurdles, which can spread toxins harmful to people and wildlife. We need to put a stop to plastic dumping and prioritize our health and the environment over the momentary convenience offered by single-use plastics.” 

Heather Hulton VanTassel, Executive Director of Three Rivers Waterkeeper said: 

“Plastic Pellets, or nurdles, are becoming ubiquitous in our waterways and are nearly impossible to fully clean up. We must take action and prevent the nurdles from entering our waterways to protect the health of our wildlife and our drinking water sources”