Environmental Groups, Gannon University Held 2nd Annual Nurdle Hunt To Document Microplastic Pollution In Pennsylvania

On May 4, from the shores of the Delaware River, to Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers, to the beaches of Lake Erie, concerned Pennsylvanians gathered Saturday, May 2 in search of nurdles-- tiny, lentil-sized plastic beads that are the building blocks of plastic production as part of the second-annual International Plastic Pellet Count. 

Hosted by the statewide nonprofit group PennEnvironment and partner organizations at the Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Gannon University’s Project NEPTWNE, events along the Delaware River in Neshaminy State Park, the beaches of Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park, and the riverfront of Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers, represented some of the hundreds of plastic pellet count activities taking place over the weekend and through the month of May. 

Thousands of “citizen scientists” across all 50 states and worldwide will collect and document plastic pellets at beaches, riverbanks, and other bodies of water.

"Nurdles may be small, but their harmful impact on our waterways and wildlife is significant," said Faran Savitz, Zero Waste Advocate with the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. "Pennsylvanians deserve clean beaches and healthy rivers and lakes, not shorelines littered with plastic."

The local events come on the heels of PennEnvironment and Three Rivers Waterkeeper settling a landmark Clean Water Act lawsuit against a plastic pellet manufacturing facility that was illegally dumping pellets into Western Pennsylvania’s Ohio River and Raccoon Creek.  

The case was the product of plastic pellet hunts in those two waterways by local residents and staff for the Three Rivers Waterkeeper.

Plastic pellets frequently spill during manufacturing and transportation, littering coastlines and waterways. 

An estimated 10 trillion plastic pellets enter the oceans every year. Once in the environment, pellets absorb and spread toxic chemicals including DDT, PCBs, and mercury, and can be mistaken for food by birds, fish, turtles, and other marine animals. 

Those pollutants bioaccumulate, becoming more concentrated and toxic as they move up the food chain--  eventually reaching humans.

"Working with concerned residents to identify the prevalence of plastic pellet waste in our waterways and environment supplies critical information to show the scope and scale of plastic pollution,” said Dr. Sherri A Mason, Director of Gannon University’s Project NEPTWNE. “This data can raise awareness and build the public's investment in implementing solutions that can help address this growing environmental crisis."

Organizers hope the data from this year’s plastic pellet counts in Pennsylvania will help catalyze policy changes to reduce plastic pollution at the source-- holding manufacturers and transporters accountable for spills, and pushing for stronger regulations on plastic production and handling.

The International Plastic Pellet Count runs through May. A forthcoming report, similar to the 2025 report, will detail the findings and make recommendations. 

“Waterways like the Delaware River, Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers, and the shores of Lake Erie represent some of Pennsylvania’s best known and most beloved places. It’s critical that we identify the risk of plastic pellet contamination and take steps to stop it,” noted Savitz. 

Visit the International Plastic Pellet Count webpage for more information.

Resource Links:

-- Penn State Study Finds Microplastics Increasing In Freshwater, Directly Related To Plastics Production

-- A Study Finding Microplastics In 100% Of Exceptional Value, High Quality, Class A Trout Streams Sampled In PA Is Disturbing To Wildlife Advocates

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper: Studies Highlight Reality Of Microplastics In Region's Waterways

[Posted: May 4, 2026]  PA Environment Digest