Institutional development · Research, innovation and assessment · United Kingdom
Modelling published by Newcastle University estimates 2.2 tonnes of nurdles remain in Tyne
New modelling estimates that around one in eight of the plastic pellets spilled into the River Tyne were still in the estuary six weeks after the incident.
Why it matters: Those monitoring the River Tyne estuary now have a modelled estimate of 2.2 tonnes of pellets remaining there six weeks after the spill.
Newcastle University reported on 12 October 2026 that new modelling estimates 2.2 tonnes of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, remained in the River Tyne estuary six weeks after a spill.
According to the modelling, that quantity amounts to roughly one in eight of the pellets that were spilled into the river.
Editor’s view
Scott James, Research and Innovation Editor
If the modelled estimate holds, around 2.2 tonnes of spilled pellets, about one in eight of the total, were still in the Tyne estuary six weeks after the incident.
