At the invitation of Planet Aware, Joe joined councillors and campaigners to hunt for plastic “nurdles” on Compton beach. Not officially classed as pollution, nurdles are plastic pellets used in the production of all our plastic products. They are shipped around the world and escape into the environment through accidents and casual handling. Often given little intention in the press, there is not a beach in the world that has escaped the presence of this man-made product. Volunteers with Planet Aware are raising awareness and doing their bit to reduce nurdles by collecting them from beaches.
After taking place a nurdle hunt, Joe Robertson reflected, “It is both shocking and depressing how quickly you find nurdles when you start looking. On the wet sand they are easy to see glinting in the sun. They are generally pale in colour and smaller than a pea. Some will originate from poor handling at Southampton docks. Others will have washed up from major spillages many thousands of miles away.”
Joe went on to say, “They cause damage to wildlife that eat them and may absorb and distribute other pollutants. Planet Aware are going a great job of raising awareness of this little-known problem. Even in the public debate around plastics in recent years, the scourge of nurdles has been largely unreported.”
Together with fellow councillors Suzie Ellis, Joe is working to reduce sea pollution including sewage and plastic by engaging with key stakeholders like the Environment Agency, Southern Water and the Council.
