Martin Lindsay

Tonnes of plastic nurdles have washed onto beaches along England’s North East coast after the Wind Orca collided with the berthed container ship BG Orange at the Port of Tyne on 19 July 2026. Wind Orca owner Cadeler admitted the response had not met community expectations and deployed specialist contractors alongside councils and volunteers. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness welcomed the increased effort but warned that the pellets are widespread and embedded in sand, making the clean-up prolonged and unpredictable. She said the companies responsible should pay for the operation, while a floating barrier has been installed around BG Orange to help prevent further spills.