When you visit the pristine beaches of Watamu, Kenya, you're greeted with stunning views—the vast ocean, graceful Swahili sailing dhows, swaying palm trees, and lush mangroves. But a closer look might reveal something shocking.

If you pay attention to the sand, you may spot tiny pellets—nurdles—hidden within. These lentil-sized plastic granules are not only hard to see but also deadly to marine life.

Nurdles: Tiny Yet Toxic

Nurdles are small plastic pellets used to create everyday plastic products. They may look harmless, but every year, about 230,000 tons of them make their way into the ocean.

Once there, they break down into microscopic nano plastics that are consumed by marine creatures. These toxic plastics travel up the food chain, threatening not only marine life but also human health and livelihoods.

Shipping Lanes: A Hidden Hazard

The global shipping industry plays a significant role in spreading plastic waste, especially nurdles. These plastic pellets are transported across the world in large shipping containers.

During their journeys, nurdles often leak or spill into the ocean due to poor packaging or accidents, adding to the pollution problem. On average, 1,382 shipping containers are lost at sea each year.

Nurdles vs. Oil Spills: A More Harmful Threat

While oil spills are widely recognized for their environmental damage, nurdles are actually more harmful. These plastic pellets are not classified as hazardous by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), despite their devastating impact on marine life.

Urgency for Action

Experts warn that if we don’t act quickly, we’ll be overwhelmed by the increasing quantities of plastic waste by 2034. Global leaders are currently negotiating an international treaty to tackle plastic pollution, and countries must take immediate action to curb plastic production and waste.

Kenya’s Leadership in Fighting Plastic Pollution

Kenya is at the forefront of the battle against plastic pollution, with one of the strictest plastic bag bans in the world. This law has helped curb the environmental impact of plastics, not only within Kenya but also globally, as it restricts visitors from bringing plastic bags into the country.

Local organizations, like The Flipflopi Project, are leading the charge to reduce plastic waste along Kenya’s coast. The Flipflopi Project was honored with IFAW’s 2024 Innovator of the Year Award for their efforts in coastal cleanups, recycling, and creating products from recycled plastics.

Dipesh Pabari, co-founder of The Flipflopi Project, emphasizes, “Plastic pollution is a complex issue that must be tackled at different levels. At Flipflopi, we are focusing on driving awareness, legislation, and behavior change to end single-use plastic and engage stakeholders to embrace the idea of recycling and reusing.”

With continued efforts from organizations and communities around the world, we can protect our oceans from the devastating effects of plastic pollution.