The Big Microplastic Survey

The River Tyne Nurdle Spill

On July 19, 2026, a collision between the ships Wind Orca and BG Orange at the Port of Tyne released an estimated 17 to 25 tonnes (roughly 639 million to 1.2 billion pieces) of plastic pre-production pellets (nurdles) into the River Tyne. The impact ruptured a container, spilling the 5mm plastic pellets into the water. Containing booms were not deployed until three days after the collision resulting in widespread pollution along the river, coastline and further afield.

We are launching a specific project as part of the Big Microplastic Survey to provide long-term monitoring of the impact of this environmental disaster. We are calling on volunteers to take part in this important research. If you would like to be a part of the effort to collect and analyse samples go to the River Tyne Nurdle Spill project page.

Above image credit: FIDRA

“The whole of the eco systems of the world are based on the healthy ocean and if that part of the planet becomes dysfunctional and goes wrong, then the whole of life on this planet will suffer”

Sir David Attenborough