LINCOLNSHIRE MARITIME

Case Study: Emergency Nurdle Cleanup on the Lincolnshire Coast

After a maritime collision in the North Sea, plastic pellets (“nurdles”) began washing up along the Lincolnshire coastline. With the nesting season for local birds just a week away, we were called in for our expertise in removing microplastics under 5mm – especially in sensitive environments.

We mobilized immediately. Partnering with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, we cleared all nurdles from the nature reserve just in time for bird nesting season. We then pushed further up the coast, targeting even more severe pollution to prevent it from spreading south.

On the 26th April, we are returning – this time cleaning Crown Estate land and with the help of volunteers from Kärcher UK. Together, we are aiming to cover over 16 miles in just four days, removing accumulated nurdles while carefully replacing sand and seaweed. This will preserve the essential habitat for invertebrates – the food source for nesting birds.

We donated Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust some equipment to assist, should the issue arise again over summer and look to monitor the situation going forward. We will be ready to respond if the pollution moves or more is washed in.