Five kg's of plastic pellets captured from one LittaTrap™ in a 12 month monitoring period
Preventing pre-production plastic pellets (commonly known as nurdles) from entering waterways is a critical objective for plastic manufacturers worldwide. Even well-managed facilities can experience accidental pellet spills during manufacturing, handling, transport, or waste management.
To support its commitment to environmental stewardship and Operation Clean Sweep®, Medical Plastics Ltd, an Auckland-based plastics manufacturer, installed an EnviroPod™ LittaTrap™ fitted with a Nurdle Liner within its stormwater network.
The installation was monitored over a 12-month period to assess the effectiveness of capturing plastic pellets and fragments before they entered the stormwater system.
Plastic resin pellets are the raw material used to manufacture countless everyday plastic products. Due to their small size and lightweight nature, they can easily be transported by stormwater if accidentally spilled.
Although Medical Plastics maintains a clean and well-managed manufacturing facility, some pellet loss is inevitable in areas where materials are handled.
The highest-risk area included:
Without effective source control, spilled pellets could be washed directly into the stormwater network and eventually the receiving environment.
An EnviroPod™ LittaTrap™ equipped with a Nurdle Liner was retrofitted into the site's existing catch basin.
Designed specifically for capturing small plastic pellets and fragments, the Nurdle Liner provides enhanced filtration while maintaining stormwater flow capacity.
The LittaTrap™ captures accidentally spilled material before it enters underground drainage, allowing pellets to be safely removed during routine maintenance.
As an official supporter of Operation Clean Sweep®, EnviroPod™ recommends the use of LittaTrap™ with a Nurdle Liner as part of a comprehensive Zero Pellet Loss strategy. Installed in high-risk locations such as loading bays, waste handling areas, and manufacturing operations, the system helps facilities prevent pellet loss at the source and strengthen environmental compliance.
Following 12 months of monitoring, the LittaTrap™ captured:
Sampling confirmed the system was highly effective at intercepting plastic pellets before they entered the stormwater system.
Based on an average pellet weight of 0.0221 grams, the captured material equated to approximately:
The LittaTrap™ with Nurdle Liner provides manufacturers with a practical solution to support pellet loss prevention by:
The modular design also allows additional performance media to be incorporated where sites require treatment for hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or other industrial pollutants.
Plastic pellets are one of the most common forms of industrial plastic pollution and can persist in the environment for decades if released.
By intercepting pellets before they leave the site, LittaTrap™ helps manufacturers:
At-source stormwater treatment forms an important part of a broader pellet management strategy, complementing good housekeeping, spill response procedures, and staff training.
The Medical Plastics trial demonstrates how even well-managed manufacturing facilities can benefit from at-source stormwater filtration.
Over a 12-month period, a single LittaTrap™ fitted with a Nurdle Liner prevented an estimated 220,000 plastic pellets from leaving the site, providing measurable environmental protection while supporting Operation Clean Sweep® principles.
For plastic manufacturers committed to achieving Zero Pellet Loss, LittaTrap™ offers a simple, proven, and effective solution for capturing pellets before they become pollution.
