Nurdles are small plastic pellets, about the size of a lentil, used in plastics manufacturing. This plastic pollution has been found on the shorelines of several waterways within the Niagara River Watershed.

View a map of the results here.

Nurdle Patrol volunteers help us find and map the location of these nurdles to be included in a Nationwide Nurdle Patrol Project. Attend an in-person training and learn how to contribute data to this project! Trainings occur in the spring.

Contact Elizabeth Cute at ecute@bnwaterkeeper.org if you are interested, or click below for information on upcoming Nurdle Patrol training opportunities.

Read the 2026 report about plastic pellet counts across the world, including BUffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s counts.
International Plastic Pellet Count 2026 Report
Learn more about nurdles by listening to this Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper podcast episode.