Toxic plastic pellets increasingly found in NH waterways

Environmental groups are calling for greater regulation of tiny plastic pellets accumulating in New Hampshire’s waterways and elsewhere.

The pellets, which are melted down and shaped into water bottles, bags and other items, are often spilled during manufacturing or transport.

Lisa Frank, executive director of the advocacy group Environment America, said eventually, the lentil-sized plastics find their way to the oceans, where they threaten both wildlife and public health.

“They look just like fish eggs, which for lots of critters is a nutritious and delicious snack,” Frank explained. “But instead, they wind up getting a belly full of plastic.”

Research shows plastic pollution also fuels climate change. Darker pellets absorb more sunlight, and when mixed with snow and ice, they can lead to quicker snow melt. Frank pointed out citizen scientists are helping to document the extent of the problem so lawmakers can work to hold companies accountable.

Earlier this spring, the first International Plastic Pellet Count took place. Volunteers collected nearly 50,000 pellets across 14 countries and more than two dozen states. Frank noted the data is uploaded to different mobile apps to calculate the total count of pellets found.

“I think most people are familiar with single-use plastic pollution,” Frank added. “They might be familiar with, or concerned about, microplastics. Most people have never heard of a plastic pellet, or seen one, and so we wanted to raise awareness of this particularly widespread type of pollution.”

Frank emphasized many state-level groups are working on legislation to prevent plastic pollution. Local initiatives like the “Ten Towns Ten Actions” campaign aim to help residents rethink their plastic usage.

Introduced federal legislation would help reduce the production of certain single-use plastic products and improve corporate responsibility for plastic disposal.

Related: Stricter PFAS limits set to safeguard New Hampshire’s drinking water