Urgent call for South Tyneside volunteers as nurdle spill worsens on North East beaches
South Tyneside Council seeks more volunteers as spring tides threaten to spread nurdles further along North East beaches.
South Tyneside Council has called for more volunteers to help save local beaches and rivers from the potentially disastrous nurdle spillage, with high tides set to make matters worse.
The council has praised the magnificent efforts of volunteers, but says that more work is needed, with so-called spring tides are expected around the August 15 and 30, bringing both the highest and lowest tides and spreading the plastic even more widely.
Around a billion of the tiny plastic pellets, around 25 tonnes, have washed up on North-East sands after a pair of shipping containers were damaged when two vessels collided at the Port of Tyne on July 19.
Environmental charity the Tyne Rivers Trust fears the plastic could be around for “years to come”, while there could be devastating consequences for birds which eat the plastic.
But volunteers have shown pride in their borough, supporting their local environment with action and throwing themselves into the painstaking task of a clear-up.
As well as the hard slog of the clear-up, there has been improved signage and information, clear volunteering guidance, the creation of nurdle collection points, input from environmental experts and continued monitoring.
But the crisis is far from over and volunteers are still desperately needed.
The council said: “We’re expecting this weekend’s high spring tides to bring additional nurdles onto parts of the coastline. Partners have been planning for this possibility and teams will continue monitoring affected areas and carrying out clean-up activity where needed.
“While there is still work to do, significant activity continues every day, and partners remain focused on protecting our coastline and supporting the ongoing recovery effort.
“Every volunteer shift, every bag collected and every hour spent on our beaches is helping make a difference. Thank you for continuing to support this recovery effort and for showing such pride in the coastline we all care so much about.
“If you're planning to volunteer, please follow the latest guidance so we can keep everyone safe and support a coordinated response.”
The statement added: “The clean-up and recovery effort is ongoing and we’d like to thank everyone who has played a part so far, especially our staff, partners and the many volunteers who continue to support the effort.”
For the latest information and volunteering guidance, visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/coast.