PHILADELPHIA, PA — Plastic pellets and microplastics are polluting lakes, rivers, and other waterways, posing significant environmental and public health threats. On Thursday, PIRG and PennEnvironment launched an interactive map designed to raise awareness about these dangers at a local level.
The map, utilizing data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, pinpoints facilities that manufacture plastic pellets and other pre-production microplastics. These pellets, often referred to as nurdles, are the building blocks for many plastic products. Researchers have identified at least 141 “Tier 1” facilities that produce these microplastics. Pennsylvania hosts seven of these Tier 1 facilities, ranking it fourth among U.S. states. Additionally, there are 193 “Tier 2” facilities owned by companies that produce pre-production microplastics, though it remains unclear if these specific sites are involved in production. In total, 31 facilities are listed in Pennsylvania.
“Plastic pellets have become ubiquitous in the landscape of too many of our communities,” said PIRG’s Beyond Plastic Advocate Kelly Leviker, who compiled data for the map. “I’m hoping this resource will help folks learn more about plastic manufacturing and potential pollution sources within their community.”
Pre-production microplastics come in different forms, including powder, flake, and pellet. Nurdles are among the most common forms and are melted and molded into various plastic products. Due to their small size and light weight, nurdles are prone to spillage, leading to their accumulation in waterways where they can release toxic additives or absorb existing toxins like DDT, PCBs, and mercury.
This pollution poses severe risks to wildlife, especially birds, turtles, and fish, which often mistake the pellets for food.
“Plastic pellets may be tiny, but they pose a huge threat to wildlife and our environment,” said PennEnvironment Zero Waste Advocate Faran Savitz. “Pennsylvanians deserve waterways free from microplastic pollution, but these plastic-producing plants put our rivers, lakes, and streams at risk. That’s why we’re calling on Congress to pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act to stop facilities from dumping or spilling pellets into our waterways.”
The proposed Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act aims to ban the discharge of plastic pellets from facilities or sources involved in their production, use, packaging, or transportation. The bill has garnered bipartisan support from 78 representatives and eight senators, including six members of the Pennsylvania delegation. It is currently under review by various congressional committees.
In the meantime, community scientists are actively gathering data on plastic pellet pollution. The new map will assist volunteers in identifying locations for nurdle hunts—events where participants search for and document microplastics along waterways—highlighting the pervasive nature of plastic pollution.
This interactive tool aims to highlight the importance of addressing plastic pollution and enacting stringent regulations to protect our environment and public health.
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