Ecaussinnes, Belgium
Ecaussinnes has been known as the hot spot for nurdles pollution, also called pellets. The source of this pollution is the Feluy industrial area where pellet handling and manufacturing companies can be found, such as Total, Katoen Natie, Vos Logistics and Feluy Service Center.
For more than 10 years, the City of Ecaussinnes, in Wallonia, has suffered from recurring and massive pellet pollution due to petrochemical build outs in the town.
Pellet spills can be traced back to a neighbouring industrial area, where pellets are produced, handled, and transported by large corporations.
Despite numerous requests from the city, industries have continued with a business-as-usual approach and even denied being the source of the problem.
However, local residents are continuously affected, with reported cases of pellets found for example in agricultural parcels, even for farmers who have switched to organic practices.
The environment is directly threatened by this pollution, with pellets found in the Sennette river and water streams around the city, all leading to the North Sea. In cases of heavy rainfalls, this phenomenon only amplifies.