Plastic pellets, known as nurdles, may be small, but they significantly affect the environment, wildlife, and public health. That is why Illinois is taking action.
Under a new law, Illinois has become the first state in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds to classify spilled nurdles as pollution—paving the way for a major change.
Illinois becomes first state to legally classify industrial ‘nurdles’ as pollution
Nurdles are small industrial plastic pellets produced by petrochemical plants that serve as raw material for new plastic products. They are used to manufacture everyday items, and that often has consequences.
However, Illinois will now legally reclassify them.
Under a new law, companies that manufacture, use, or transport nurdles must report spills and create plans to prevent these pellets from entering stormwater runoff, according to Yahoo.
Governor JB Pritzker signed the measure after the House approved it 69-33 and the Senate 44-13.
The new law comes as microplastic pollution draws increasing attention across the Midwest.
Nurdles can escape from chemical plants, factories, trains, and trucks during production and transportation, and they have been found in waterways throughout Illinois and across all five Great Lakes.
