The Great Global Nurdle Hunt 2025 starts today! Are you taking part?
Join nurdle hunters across the world this month (1st – 31st October)by taking part in a nurdle hunt. Each nurdle hunt documents global nurdle pollution, raises awareness of this major source of microplastic pollution and helps call for change!
What are nurdles?
Nurdles are small plastic pellets, about the size of a lentil, that are used to make almost all plastic products, from bottles to washing machines. Each year over 445,000 tonnes of nurdles are lost from the global plastic supply chain, including: during nurdle production, transportation over land and sea, conversion into products, plastic recycling and when handled at all points in between. This has result in nurdles becoming the second largest source of primary microplastic pollution globally.
Image Credit - Durham Wildlife Trust
Once nurdles enter the environment they can spread far from the pollution source and are very difficult to remove. These tiny plastic pellets can harm wildlife, disrupt ecosystems and negatively impact communities and local economies. However, 95% of nurdle pollution is preventable! With better handling, stronger regulations, and increased awareness, nurdles can be stopped at source. Data collected through the Great Global Nurdle Hunt plays a key role in driving this change through providing the evidence needed to push for action.
Why take part?
By taking part in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt, you help gather important evidence of nurdle pollution, raise awareness of this major source of microplastic pollution, and shows decision makers you care and want to see change. Every nurdle hunt helps and together we can end nurdle pollution.
This year’s hunt aims to put a spotlight on the risks and impacts of nurdle pollution to wildlife and biodiversity hotspots all around the world. You can help by doing a nurdle hunt in areas rich in biodiversity or by sending us photos of wildlife impacted by nurdles.
Image credit - Ajay Madhu. India 2025
How to take part?
1. Choose a location to hunt between the 1st – 31th October
2. Search for nurdles
3. Count how many nurdle you find
4. Record how long you hunted
5. Record how many people too part
6. Submit your results at nurdlehunt.org.uk or via the Great Nurdle Hunt App
Make sure to submit your results by 1st November 2025 to be included in this year’s report!
Anyone can take part and no special equipment or training is required
Information and Resources
Download a Resource Pack, full of useful information and resources to help you take part, including; top tips for nurdle hunting, nurdle ID sheets and social media toolkits to help you promote your nurdle hunt and raise awareness and more!
Download our new Nurdle Hunt App, full of helpful guides and information to help you nurdle hunt and easily submit you results.
You can watch our latest webinar ‘How to take part and make an impact’ on our YouTube channel, to learn all about nurdles and nurdle hunting
Make sure you follow us on social media (X, Facebook and Instagram) to keep up to date with all things nurdles and help spread the word!