Learn how to participate in the second annual International Plastic Pellet Count taking place on May 2nd, 2026.

Plastic pellets, also known as nurdles, are the raw material used to make many familiar plastic products like water bottles, grocery bags and food containers. Unfortunately, these microplastics are often spilled, leaked or dumped into the environment, especially our waterways, during manufacturing and transport. As a result, they frequently wash up on riverbanks, lakeshores and beaches.

To illustrate the extent of the problem, volunteers across America and beyond are hosting pellet counts and clean-up events at their local waterways on Saturday, May 2nd to help identify plastic pellet pollution and make the case for action.

You can help by going out and looking for plastic pellets in your nearby rivers, streams, wetlands or ocean beaches. Pellet counts take as little as 10 minutes, and will make a big impact.