Nurdle loss from rail transportation is an important but often overlooked source of terrestrial nurdle pollution. Read out latest case study report to learn more on the risks of nurdle pollution from rail sources and the solutions.
Nurdle (aka plastic pellets) loss from rail networks is an important but often overlooked source of terrestrial pellet pollution. In our latest report we highlight the risks of pellet pollution from rail sources, using the United States of America as a case study, and present solutions to address this important source of land based pellet pollution.
Rail sources of pellet pollution
Each year, it is estimate up to 445,000 of nurdles spill into the environment around the world, making nurdle pollution the second largest source of primary microplastic pollution globally, and impacting wildlife, communities and protected areas worldwide. This loss occurs throughout the global nurdle supply chain including during nurdle production, conversion into products, plastic recycling, and during transportation, including by rail.
Nurdle pollution can happen at multiple points across a rail network. Acute nurdle spills can occur due to train derailments, while ongoing chronic losses can occur across the rail network, for example during loading and unloading of nurdles. However a lack of effective regulation and reporting means that rail networks can often be overlooked as a source of acute and chronic land based nurdle pollution.
Figure 1 - Pellet loss takes places through out the global plastic pellet supply chain
Nurdle pollution from rail sources in the USA – A Case Study
Rail is a commonly used mode for transporting nurdles over land, particularly in North America including the United States of America (USA). In this new report, we identify the USA as a case study, to highlight the risks of nurdle pollution from freight rail networks and present solutions to prevent further nurdle loss. The USA is home to an extensive rail freight network spanning over 140,000 miles, while also being a major producer, importer and exporter of primary plastics (including nurdles), with millions of tons of plastics transported by rail within the USA each year.
Derailments are a frequent occurrence across the USA rial network, with over 58,000 derailments reported between 1990 and 2024, including major incidents such as seen in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023. NGOs have identifying over 140 derailments involving plastic pellets between 2010-2021 across multiple states, highlighting the high risk of derailment resulting in acute pellet loss, though a lack of reporting means the true number may be higher.
Preventing nurdle pollution from rail transport
This report highlights the risks of nurdle pollution from rail sources, with a focus on the USA, however many of the findings presented in this report are applicable to other nations and regions with freight rail networks which transport nurdles. To effectively prevent nurdle pollution from both derailments and from ongoing chronic losses across the rail network, a legislated supply chain approach is essential. This should:
· Mandate standardised pellet handling best practices across the supply chain
· Require independent third-party audits to monitor compliance
· Ensure full accountability and timely clean-up in the event of a spill following derailment or from ongoing losses from rail transport
Read the full report and learn more about the solutions to pellet pollution