The Great Global Nurdle Hunt 2026 is here! Are you ready to join in?
The Great Global Nurdle Hunt is our annual citizen science event, which sees volunteers around the world head out and undertake nurdle hunts. This year’s hunt takes place between the 4th September – 4th October 2026. Every nurdle hunt helps to collect important evidence of nurdle pollution, raise awareness of this global issue and helps call for change!
What is nurdle pollution?
Nurdles are small plastic pellets (about the size of a lentil), that are classed as microplastics. Nurdles are used to make almost all plastic products, from plastic bottles to car parts. However, each year up to 445,000 tonnes of nurdles spill from the global plastic supply chain into the environment. Nurdles spill during nurdle production, transport by land and sea, when nurdles are converted into plastic products, when recycling plastic and at all points in between. Nurdles are now a major source of industrial plastic pollution.
Nurdles collected by volunteers (Credit: Durham Wildlife Trust)
Though they are small in size, nurdles can have big impacts on wildlife, communities and industries (e,g, fishing and tourism). Once in the environment, nurdles are very difficult to remove, are highly mobile and persistent in the environment for a longtime. Nurdles have been identified around the world, from the Galapagos islands to the Arctic circle, from Canada to Kenya and beyond!
The good news is 95% of nurdle pollution is preventable with solutions that exist now! With better handling, stronger regulations, and increased awareness, nurdle pollution can be stopped.
2026 ship spill once again highlights the need for change
A recent major nurdle spill in the North East of England saw an estimated 17 tonnes of nurdles spill from a ship into the environment, impacting local wildlife and communities. Reports from the public to the Great Nurdle Hunt show nurdles from this spill have spread far from the source along the coast and we have shared this data and photo evidence with local authorities, the press and government to highlight the issue. The community response has been staggering with thousands helping clean up pollution. But nurdle pollution is persistent and hard to remove so it will continue to impact the region for years to come. Long term support is needed to monitor beeches and respond when storms bring nurdles ashore in the future. This spill comes just 18 months after a previous large scale spill hit England’s east coast.
The spill in the North East of England represents the latest in a long line of spills around the world, from Hong Kong to South Africa and beyond, once again vividly showing the major risks and impacts of nurdle pollution. We urgently need regulation to prevent nurdle pollution on land and at sea, as well as spill preparedness plans in place to act quickly and effectively if a spill occurs and clean-up for existing nurdle pollution.
Nurdle pollution following a major spill in Tynemouth, North East England (Credit: Fidra)
Take part, make a difference
By taking part in the Great Global Nurdle Hunt, you help collect important evidence of nurdle pollution where you are, raise awareness of this major source of microplastic pollution and show decision makers your care and want to see change. Every nurdle hunt makes an impact!
Important progress has been made to address nurdle pollution around the world, from regulation on nurdles in the EU to court cases against polluters in Sri Lanka and USA, nurdle hunters play an important role in achieving this. However, there is still work to be done, and you can help!
Anyone can take part and every nurdle hunt makes an impact! (Credit: HUDEFO)
How to take part?
1. Choose a location to hunt between the 4th September – 4th October 2026
2. Search for nurdles (find tips here!)
3. Count how many nurdle you find
4. Record how long you hunted (10mins minimum)
5. Record how many people took part
6. Submit your results at nurdlehunt.org.uk or via the Great Nurdle Hunt App
Make sure to submit your results by 6th October to be included in this year’s report!
Anyone can take part and no special equipment or training is required
More 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 Great Nurdle Hunt app, full of helpful guides and tools to help you nurdle hunt and easily submit your results.
Watch our latest webinar ‘How Nurdle Hunts and Beach Cleans Can Make a Difference Together’. Whether you are new to nurdles or just need a refresher, find out how to take part in this year’s event with our new webinar available now on our YouTube channel! You’ll hear from guest speakers from the North East of England, who have been helping to respond to the major pellet spill that hit the region in July 2026. The amazing response from the local community to the disaster is truly inspiring.
Make sure you follow us on social media ( Facebook, Instagram and TikTok) to keep up to date with all things nurdles and help spread the word!