Nurdle spill clean up - urgent plea from Overstrand Municipality for public help

There are renewed concerns about quantities of plastic pellet particles, also known as nurdles, that have been found on Silver Sand Beach in Betty’s Bay this morning.

Hanglip-Kleinmond residents are being asked to find time to collect as many nurdles as possible‚ particularly from the high-water mark. Should you find any, please separate from other waste and place in a separate bag or container with details of where found. Two wheelie bins have been placed in the parking areas at Silver Sand Beach and Stony Point Penguin Colony in Betty's Bay as a collection point.

If this bin is full please contact:  Renee Bish 060 656 7341  PLEASE USE THESE BINS FOR NURDLES ONLY! NO OTHER WASTE PLEASE!!!

Unfortunately, these nurdles are hard to spot. They are very small and their colour often blends in with the sand or can be covered up by seaweed.

The pesky little critters are toxic and never go away. Nurdles cannot be digested by animals who often mistake them for food - with a dire end result of digestive blockages, starvation and eventual death. The worn-down micro-fragments block filter feeders and clog respiratory gills. They look just like fish eggs, which impacts birds as well as marine animals.

PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT AND KEEP MARINE WILDLIFE SAFE FROM NURDLES

Overstrand Municipality has asked members of the public to be on the lookout for any nurdles that may be found along our coastline and to report sightings to help track the movements of these potentially lethal little beads.

If you spot any of these on the beaches, please report sightings :

• Overstrand Municipality's Environmental Department (028 316 3724 during office hours or 028 313 8111/028 31308980 after hours) -. Alternatively, contact
• South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) on 028 312 3029
• Dyer Island Conservation Trust on 082 907 5607
• African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) on 072 598 7117

 Remember to mention exactly where they were found/spotted and If possible, with GPS coordinates

This will assist with the tracking of the impact that spills of nurdles have and will ensure they are sent to a central depot for use. Unless in large bulk there is nothing that can be done with these nurdles.

Collecting Nurdles

Below is a suggested equipment list and some examples of their use:

-              OLD JAM JAR: to keep you nurdle finds in and spread the word of plastic pellet pollution

-              SIEVE: to separate nurdles from the sand

-              BUCKET: to collect nurdle finds and other marine debris. Many (though not all) nurdles and microplastic will float in water, so a  quick way to separate them from sand  can be to simply put the collected  nurdles, sand and debris in a bucket of  water and scoop off the plastic  fragments from the top placing them

Recommended Disposal

Nurdles should not go to landfill or be recycled. Please do not discard in Municipal waste bins.  To better understand nurdle hotspots, please mark your nurdle bag/container with the location you have collected the nurdles and drop off at:

• Hangklip – Kleinmond Area: Environmental Management Services Office in 5th Avenue or use the signposted Wheelie bins situated at Silversands Beach Carpark & Stony Point Beach Car Park
• Hermanus: Overstrand Fire Brigade in Mussel Street, Hermanus.
• Dyer Island Conservation Trust office at The Great White House in Kleinbaai
• African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary - APSS

 Whilst the penguin sanctuary is closed during the week, the container/bag of nurdles can be left next to the wire whale at the entrance and the team will check twice daily.

Collecting and disposing of in this manner will assist with the tracking of the impact that spills of nurdles have and will ensure they are sent to a central depot for use. Unless in large bulk there is nothing that can be done with these nurdles.