‘This is a disaster’ - Clean up continues after one billion plastic pellets spill into River Tyne
The Port of Tyne is continuing its clean up operation after plastic pellets spill into the River Tyne.
The Port of Tyne has stated that cleaning up an estimated one billion plastic pellets “cannot be hurried” as they continue to wash up on North East beaches.
The plastic pellets, known as ‘nurdles’, started washing up on Littlehaven Beach, in South Shields, earlier this week following a ship collision, which caused a crane to collapse, at the Port on Sunday, July 19.
A gantry crane at the Port collapsed as a result of the incident and a man was taken to hospital with injures that are not believed to be life-threatening.
The collision also resulted in nurdles, the raw material used for manufacturing plastics, spilling into the River Tyne - with some reports suggesting that it could be up to 25 tonnes of plastic pellets.
Fidra, an environmental charity that specialises in plastic pollution, has estimated to the Shields Gazette that 25 tonnes would equate to around one billion nurdles.
Work to prevent further spills is ongoing
The Port of Tyne has confirmed that it is working to prevent any further spill of nurdles into the Tyne and has boats out on the river in an effort to clear the water.
A spokesperson for the Port of Tyne said: “Responding to the collision is a multi-faceted and complex salvage operation which cannot be hurried.
“Safety and the welfare of everyone working on the site is and must remain our priority.
“Our response plan to the pellet spill was activated immediately we became aware of it.
“It involves a number of actions, including helping contain any further spill of pellets and getting boats out on the river as a matter of urgency to clear pellets from the water.
“We will continue to work with local authorities and other agencies as everyone works hard to minimise the effect of the pellet spill.”
‘This is a disaster’
The South Tyneside Green Party has called for urgent Government intervention following the spill as they continue to wash up on beaches in North and South Tyneside.
Sunderland City Council has also confirmed that “small amounts of pellets” have also been reported on Seaburn Beach.
Local authorities are urging members of the public not to handle the pellets and to keep dogs on leads in affected areas.
Matt Blair, South Tyneside Green Party councillor for West Park, has branded the spill as a disaster and highlighted the impact that it could have on the local wildlife and environment.
He said: “This is a disaster for local wildlife, our environment and our food chain. Marine life could ingest these nurdles, and if that reaches our food chain, we all pay the price.
“That’s why we need everyone stepping up now. I want to see the Port of Tyne and all stakeholders fully engaged in this clean-up.
“What measures are in place, and what are the next steps to prevent this happening again?
“We need all hands on deck - our coastline deserves it.”
The Green Party has organised a clean up at Littlehaven Beach on Friday, July 24 - meeting at the Sail and Eye statue from 1pm.
Ahead of the clean up, volunteers are warned not to handle the nurdles with their bare hands and young children and dogs are asked not to attend.