Three years down the line, nurdles remain a problem as locals clean up Zimbali beach

Dozens of people took to cleaning up Zimbali beach last weekend.

Organised by Zimbali residents Kate Lovemore-Baker, Bronwyn Karlberg and Milan Comley, the initiative saw special input and help from Zimbali’s environmentalist, Brendon Smith as the group of beach cleaners also set about hunting for nurdles.

A superstorm caused a Mediterranean Shipping Company vessel to lose cargo in October of 2017 – the cargo lost contained an incalculable amount of nurdles, tiny pieces of plastic which today still plague South African beaches.

“We are all beach lovers and want to teach our children about the importance of looking after the environment,” said Lovemore-Baker.

“Nurdles remain a major problem and there has recently been another spill.”

Southern Peninsula beaches around the Cape have seen thousands of nurdles wash ashore recently.

Following the clean-up at Zimbali beach, the trio of ladies also introduced residents of the estate, and those who came to support the initiative, to a new permanent fixture at the beach.

Sponsored by Litter4Tokens, a trommel has been installed at the beach. 

“This is a fun way for adults and kids alike to separate nurdles from sand and send them off to be recycled.”