Leakage of plastic pellets - The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund purchases cleanup equipment

Plastic pellets are the raw material used to produce plastic products. The pellets have a diameter of 2-3 millimeters and fall under the size category for microplastics. On March 17, large quantities of plastic pellets were found on beaches and in coves along the outer Oslofjord. The spill likely originates from a ship transporting plastic pellets to or from a production facility.

The tiny plastic beads are very difficult and time-consuming to clean up, and they are harmful to both seabirds and marine life as the plastic is mistaken for food. When the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund learned of this, the decision to help was simple and swift.

- It is terrible that such spills and accidents still occur. This has been a problem for decades, and we are still struggling to clean up old pellets from the beaches to this day. The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund has the resources and is pleased to contribute to a swift cleanup, yet the plastics industry and the police must ensure that this type of spill ends, says Rasmus Hansson, CEO of the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund.

The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund has now provided 150,000 NOK to the Oslofjord Outdoor Council in collaboration with Marin Omsorg, and contributed to the purchase of technical cleaning devices to clear the spill. Twelve leaf blowers, two wet vacuums, and various other equipment have been purchased. Leaf blowers have become an effective cleanup tool for clearing plastic pellets from the worst areas. The equipment is now distributed to the Archipelago Service and other actors in the outer Oslofjord for personal use and lending to volunteers who wish to contribute. All cleanup must consider the coronavirus situation, but with effective equipment, more individuals can easily clear significant amounts of plastic pellets.

Chemical analysis to assist police

The spill is under preliminary investigation by the police. The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund has also initiated the development of a chemical analysis, which will be performed by Norner AS, to assist the police in determining the source of the spill. Here, reported findings of plastic pellets have been registered https://www.oslofjorden.org/plastpellets/