A recent spill of plastic nurdles - a catastrophic source of harmful microplastic pollution - took place recently, off the coast of Plettenburg Bay. With recent reports indicating that there will be more waste plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050, ocean clean-up activists, Litter4Tokens, are calling for everyone to get involved to change the trajectory of this devastating path.

“In October, three years ago, a freak storm resulted in the collision of two container ships and 2.2 billion nurdles were spilt into the Durban Harbour, washing up along KZN beaches, from Ballito to the KZN South Coast,” explained Clare Swithenbank-Bowman, founder of the non-profit organisation (NPO) – a recipient of two international Stevie Awards for 2020.

“The microplastics are hugely detrimental to both humans, as well as marine ecosystems, quickly finding their way into the food system where they cause ulceration, starvation and death. We’re particularly concerned as it’s been discovered that these nurdles follow the same ocean currents as turtles. The ocean is the earth’s life force, and if we don’t get on top of this plastic crisis now, the ocean is literally going to choke. It’s now or never.”

In the Western Cape, the Shark Spotters Coastal Rehabilitation team has noticed a number of nurdles washed up on South Peninsula beaches over the last few weeks, with sightings at Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Simonstown, Millers Point, Witsands, and Kommetjie so far. While the company responsible for the spill is still being sought, there are still millions of nurdles along the coastline threatening the oceanic life.  

Nurdles - which are melted down to create plastic products make their way into the food chain when fish and other filter-feeding marine creatures mistake them for eggs and miniature jellyfish. Outside of this, the toxic microplastics are also being found in human food sources, as well as impacting the livelihood of many who rely on healthy oceans for survival. Nurdles cannot be recycled so, if collected, should be either disposed of in a bin or sent to FIDRA for scientific data collection (see details below).

Role of Litter4Tokens

Litter4Tokens is an innovative recycling solution, whereby bags of recyclable material are exchanged for tokens valued at R5 each. These can be redeemed for dry goods in token shops at the many Litter4Tokens outlets across South Africa, thereby targeting the dual challenge of pollution and hunger simultaneously. Since the launch of Litter4Tokens in 2015, more than 528 000 bags of litter have been prevented from reaching the oceans, and more than 156 000 people in remote South African communities fed.

“The aim of the Litter4Tokens campaign is to instill pride and cleanliness by putting respect back into the communities, and encouraging hard work while employing and educating the nation,” she explained. “This campaign is also addressing climate change, global public health, and global poverty at the same time, creating a circular economy, helping retailers and manufacturers get their products back.”

Litter4Tokens is the manufacturer of NurdleSA, in partnership with NurdleUK. All proceeds from the beach clean-up tools sold go to Litter4Tokens, thereby keeping the outlets viable and further preventing the pollution of the oceans.

Swithenbank-Bowman explained that Litter4Tokens is also part of the Civil Society of Plastic, working with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and incorporated into the Extended Producer Responsibility Plan. This is a viable solution organisation which encourages all retailers and brand owners to contribute towards the environmental costs associated with the plastic product throughout its life cycle.

Officially, the industry supports 7 890 formal jobs, but it is estimated that around 58 470 South Africans receive an income through the entire recycling supply chain thanks to campaigns like Litter4Tokens. Packaging companies are able to partner with Litter4Tokens to fulfil their environmental responsibilities in terms of the Act.

Zimbali Coastal Resort, on the KZN North Coast, is one such organisation that has recently invested in a Nurdle Trommel from Litter4Tokens-Nurdle SA. This is a permanent fixture that will allow for the clean-up of harmful microplastics along the Ballito stretch of beach.

Swithenbank-Bowman, and the team at Litter4Tokens, are now calling on retailers and businesses to get involved in the clean-up of nurdles – referred to as ‘mermaid’s tears’ by the NPO. As a registered NPO, Litter4Tokens can form part of a company’s required CSI initiative, with relevant tax certificates issued for donations and no VAT charges applied.