In The
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This study was conducted by the EPA Oceans and Coastal Protection Division. The Project Manager was
Mr. David Redford, Chief of the Ocean Dumping and Marine Debris Section (Washington, DC).
Technical support was provided by Battelle Ocean Sciences under Contract No. 68-C8-0105. The Society
of the Plastics Industry, Inc. graciously provided time for Ms. Maureen Healey, Assistant Director for
Federal Affairs, to arrange site visits and industry reviews of this report.
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List of Tables iii
List of Figures • iv
List of Abbreviations vi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
1.0 STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES 7
1.1 Study Objectives 8
1.2 Acknowledgment 9
2.0 PELLET CHARACTERIZATION 11
2.1 Pellet Additives ..,,,., 13
2.2 Pellet Behavior in the Aquatic Environment 17
3.0 THE PELLET PROBLEM .' 19
3.1 Geographical Distribution . 19
3.2 Sources Identified in the Literature 28
3.2.1 EPA's Harbor Studies Program 28
3,2.2 EPA's CSO Program 29
3.3 Fate and Impacts 30
3,3.1 Birds 30
3.3.2 Turtles 36
3,3,3 Other 36
3.3.4 Esthetic and Economic 37
4.0 PELLET TO THE ENVIRONMENT 39
4.1 Organization of the Plastics Industry 39
4.2 Pellet Producers 42
4.2.1 Producer Equipment and Operations 42
4.2.2 Site Visit Observations 45
4.2.3 Sources of Pellet Releases from Producers 52
4,3 Pellet Transporters and Packagers 53
4.3.1 Equipment and Operations , 53
4.3.2 Site Visit Observations 57
4.3.3 Sources of Pellet Releases from Transporters/Packagers ..'.... 66
4.4 Pellet Processors i .67
4.4.1 Equipment and Operations ; 67
4,4.2 Site Visit Observations 69
4.4.3 Sources of Pellet Releases from Processors 75
4.5 Summary of Identified Sources .76
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
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CONTENTS (continued)
5.0 CONTROLLING PELLET RELEASES . . ; 79
5.1 Recommendations to the Plastics Industry ..'.,... , ., 79
5.1.1 Industry Management 79
5.1.2 Education and Training 83
5.1.3 'Equipment and Facilities 84
5.1.4 Routine Operations 85
5.1.5 Maintenance and Housekeeping • 86
5.1.6 87
5.1.7 ; 87
5.1.8 Recycling and Waste Disposal -. 88
5.2 Existing Control Measures 89
5.2.1 Legal Framework 89
5.2.2 Government Programs and Policy 91
5.2.3 Industry Programs and .Initiatives , . . 93
5.3 Recommendations to Regulators 96
5.4 Summary of Recommendations 97
6.0 GLOSSARY ' 101
7.0 REFERENCES 103
Appendix: SPI Checklists for Identifying Pellet Release Points and Containment Measures .... A-l
Plastic Pellets In the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
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LIST OF TABLES
1. Annual U.S. Resin Sales 12
2. Characteristics^nd Uses of Plastics Additives 14
3. Polymer Densities 16
4. Effects of Two Additives to the Densities of Selected Commodity Resins 17
5. Pellet Observations and Suspected Pellet Sources 20
6. Pellets Found During EPA Aquatic Debris Programs 24
7. Pellets Collected Daily at Sewage Treatment Facilities in Philadelphia and Boston 29
8. Pellet Ingestions and Potential Effects 32
9. Comparisons of Most Commonly Used Pellet Bags 55
10. Summary of Recommendations to the Plastics Industry According to Industry Sector 80
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations ill
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OF FIGURES
1. Examples of Different Pellet Sizes, Shapes, and Colors , .11
2. Pellets Found during an EPA Harbor Studies Program Survey in Houston, Texas 23
3. Plastic Powder Found during an EPA Harbor Studies Program Survey in Houston, Texas , 26
4. Flattened Polyethylene Pellet and a Virgin Polyethylene Pellet 27
5. Pellets Ingested by a Seablrd .•. 30
6. Pellet Flow through Plastics Industry Sectors . 40
(a) Pellet Producers/Extruders ^. "... 40
(b) Pellet Transporters/Packagers 41,54
(c) Pellet Processors 41,67
7. Example of a Pneumatic Conveying System in a Pellet Blending Operation ..44
8. Basic Design of the Company F Pellet Containment System 46
9. Facility Drainage System Outfall into the Company F Containment System 47
10. Upstream View of the First Fixed Skimmer in the Company F Containment System ..... 48
11. Pellets in the First Fixed Skimmer Containment Area at Company F 48
12. Portable Boom and Manual Pellet Recovery from the Company F Containment System ... 50
13. Pellet Spill Caused by Vandalism to Rail Hopper Car Valves 56
14. Company B Environmental Inspection Checklist 60
15. Storm-Water Drain in Railroad Siding at Company C 61
16. Loose Pellets beneath a Bagging Machine at Company C 62
17. Pellets Spilled at a Company C Loading Dock 62
18. Pellete in Storm Water outside a Company C Loading Dock 63
19. Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C 64
20. Pellet Accumulation .(and Other Aquatic Debris) in
Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C 64
IV Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
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LISt OF FIGURES (continued)
21. Pellet Accumulation in Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C 65
22. Pellets along High-Water Line in Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C 65
23. Primary Bulk-Storage Hoppers (Silos) at Company A 6S
24. A Pneumatic Transfer Tube Used to Transfer Plastic Pellets from Bulk Trucks to Bulk
Storage Hoppers at Company A 69
25. Pellets on the Ground in the Area of the Bulk-Storage Hoppers at Company A 70
26. Pellets Caught in Fence Guard and on the Floor
Beneath the Internal Storage Hoppers at Company A 71
27. Plastic Pellets and Scrap on Top of an Injection Molding Machine at Company A 71
28. Pellets Accumulated in an Expansion Joint in the Company A Printing Shop 72
29. Pellets Accumulated in the Catchment Basin under the Overhead Doors at Company A ... 72
30. Company A Driveway Where All Storm Water is Transported to the City Street 73
31. A Poster Distributed during the 1987 SPI Marine Debris Campaign 94
32. Advertisement for the 1991 SPI Operation Clean Sweep Campaign 95
33. 1991 SPI Pellet Retention Environmental Code . , 98
34. 1992 SPI Processor's Pledge 99
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
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LIST OF'ABBREVIATIONS
ABS acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene
AIMS American Institute of Merchant Shipping
CMC , Center for Marine Conservation
CSO . combined sewer overflow
DOT Department of Transportation
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FDA Food and Drug Administration
HDPE . high-density polyethylene
ITF Interagency Task Force on Persistant Marine Debris
LDPE low-density polyethylene
MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution by Ships
MPPRCA Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987
MPRSA Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NOAA National Oeeanographie and Atmospheric Administration
OCPD EPA Oceans and Coastal Protection Division
OWOW EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
PBT polybutylene terephthalate
PCB polychlorinated biphenyl
PE polyethylene
PET polyethylene terephthalate
PP polypropylene
PS polystyrene
PVC polyvinyl chloride
QC quality control
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
SAN styrene/acrylonitrile
SB styrene-butadiene
SMA styrene-maleic anhydride
SOP standard operating procedure
SPI Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. .
TiO2 titanium dioxide
TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act
TSS total suspended solids
UL Underwriters Laboratory
USCG United States Coast Guard
vt
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is concerned about the amounts and
types of debris in our oceans and on our
beaches. This debris can have economic,
esthetic, and ecological Impacts and can come
from both land- and sea-based sdurces. One
debris that has become of particular
concern to EPA Is the plastic pellet,
EPA's Oceans and Coastal Protection Division
(OCPD) of the Office of Wetlands, Oceans,
and Watersheds (OWOW) Initiated the study
described In this report to make a comprehen-
sive assessment of the sources, fate, and ef-
fects of pellets In the aquatic environment, and
to determine what can be done to control and
prevent their release to the environment. The
goals of the study were to
* Summarize what Is known about the
presence and Impacts of pellets In the
aquatic environment,
* Wentify and evaluate how pellets es-
cape into the environment, and
• Recommend ways to control or prevent
future' pellet releases.
This study promotes EPA's national policy on
pollution prevention, which is based on the
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
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THE ENVIEONMENTAL PROBLEM;
SOURCES, FATB, AND
Historically, several sources of pellets la the
aquatic environment have been suggested,
including- and
wastewater. by the industry,
spilage trucks, railears, and ships, la-
proper use of pellets, and disposal and
sewer discharges by cities. The findings of me
EPA Harbor Program and' Combined
Sewer Overflow (CSO) Studies Program con-
cluded, that significant land-based pellet sources
exist, 'and the plastics industry is a likely
source of-the releases,
by the plastics industry flow
into the aquatic environment by two routes.
• CSO and storm-water discharges —
Spilled pellets may be carried by rain-
water into storm-water drains, which
in turn transport the water into the
municipal wastewater treatment sys-
tems. The be dis-
charged into the aquatic environment
through storm-water or,
where the and storm, sewers
are combined, through CSO discharg-
es.,
* Direct spills into the aquatic .environ-
ment; .— Pellets be spilled directly
into waterways, as during cargo
handling at ports or during
cargo transport at sea.
The presence of pellets in U.S. waters
was reported to the early 1970s, and
pellets have since been reported in most of the
World's oceans. More recently, EPA studies
of aquatic debris (EPA Harbor Studies Pro-
gram) revealed widespread distribution of
plastic to P.S. harbors on the
Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts, and
the common items to
most of the harbors. Pellets were found to 13
out of 14 harbors sampled. The greatest num-
ber of was found in the Houston
Channel at Houston, Texas, where over
250,000 pellets were collected to one sample
alone. Notably, Houston has one of the great-
est concentrations of industry
to the United States,
During its CSO Program, H»A also
found in the municipal
treatment systems of Philadelphia and Boston.
For example, pellets comprised' over one-half
of the manmade debris collected at one Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, storm-water discharge.
Pellets were found to collected
from four plants; on
the study findings, EPA has .estimated
over 20,000 per day be to
the sewage by one Philadelphia plant.
The pellets are removed from the sewage dur-
ing sewage treatment. The presence of pellets
to the plant shows that the pellets are released
from land-based sources, and could be released
to the aquatic environment during treatment
plant shutdowns or through CSOs and storm-
water during rainy periods.
The persistence of a pellet to the aquatic envi-
ronment may be measured to years, depending
on the resto type, the types and amounts of
additives, and the reactions of the resins and
additives to environmental processes (e.g.,
weathering, sunlight, wave action). Once to
the environment, may be transported by
storm-water runoff, rivers, and water
to far away from the source.
There are several, documented de-
scribing, pellet and other plastic togestion by
wildlife, most notably by seabirds and sea
turtles; however, impacts or biological effects
of the pellets have not been clearly defined or
'demonstrated conclusively in most wildlife.
morS frequently
any other animal, and approximately one-
guarter of all species are known to
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
-------
by are
to of
(I.e., the fed as
and reduce the feelings of tonga. Ultimately,
this in^a In re-
and the ability to survive etwi-
conditions, on
sea turtles, fish, and other aquatic life
been less frequently reported and studied.
Although .pellets not be is
as otiher of debris, as
and medieal- the
and in Ae environ-
are for1 notice. One investigator
so far as to that, if high
of to be on
people may be
on plastic-sand beaches of natural-sand
beaches.
TOE
, • Pellet producers, which the
polymers, form the peleta, and
the to or
processors.
» Pellet transporters/contract
agera, which are
handlers. Transporters cany -bulk
the
via alears, bulk trucks, and freight
. .
bulk smaller
(e.g., and boxes),
which are shipped to processors,
« Pellet processors, which mold Ae
into user products.
To how are to the
environment from of three
SPI for industry to -be
visited by the Seven
(two two
and processors) were visited"
during this, study.
The Society of the Plastics Industries, tec.
(SPI), worked with EPA to-develop aa
standing of -operattefls within Ae in-
dustry and identify potential of pellet
to the SPI is the major
of the tadus-1
try. Its of more than
2,000 that are responsible for ap-
proximately 75* of the $100 billion
of and in the
These supply raw
(e.g., pellets)," manufacture and
products, and and manufecr
and by the
, This
4be voluntary ad!
of SPI and in fee
industry.
For the of the study,, the
industry divided into major
for of the industry sectors described
above. Most of .the pathways
common.to all three sectors, with only -a few
unique to one or two The
pathways may be into
are t
* Poor communication indus-
try manage-
and of
(e.g«, *WppIng Industry).
Not all company managers have recog-
tite and the
to pellet spill-
age as the
of and' Ae 'of
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources tod ReeonsfnendAtkscui
-------
rail hopper cars, is
only occasionally.
Lade of employee and
Inadequate training, ire
generally unaware of the environmen-
tal of and
- for
• to tiie environment. For
example, one major pathway is
by im-
proper of
alow pellets to escape into the envi-
ronment they are unaware of
Ae of pellets.
and
apparatuses. Most have
few or no cooling-, waste-, or storm-
Including
in for .control-
ling pellet to the
that are IB
may be discharged Into municipal
and sanitary or into natu-
ral
When-
ever pellets are handled, there- is the
potential for pellet.spillage. Manual
is likely to
in by
conveying (i.e.,
that move pellets by using air
flowing through sealed pipes). How-
ever, if pneumatic- are not
maintained;and closed,
may' Aroigb "openinp In the
may be
during the of damaged, un-
repaired
practices.
If are not Quickly up
they, are spiled, they may be
and eventually
(he -Pellets may' be
throughout interior tnd
of a facility via and dott-
ing, vehicle tires, wind, and storm-
runoff,
Easily or
Paper and cardboard packaging is
during and
to be
to be
molding tJaaagBcf or laky
packaging is a major source of pellet
toss to the valved,
not .close,
thereby allowing pellets to
fte opening.
Improper iWppIng practices. Im-
properly rail car valves,
poorly
awl pnc-
large of
to the environment
_ Lack of recycling.
do not to recycle spilled
and, the
other facility trash.
a
for the of
including plastic pellets, tote the envi-
ronment. The National Pol-
Discharge System permit
program [40 CFR
and to
significant penalties to a company or sewage
plant if are
in to violation of
their permit. Although will not
completely the of
can eacour^ge companies to implement control
measures. Ultimately, controlling of
into the is
die responsibility of the Industry.
Phstic Peltete in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Rseomniaidationi
-------
In response to the early findings of this pellet
study and other EPA studies conducted since
1988, SPI founded a Resin Pellet Task Force
to investigate the pellet problem. In July
1991, -following the findings of the task force,
Sfl initiated Operation dean Sweep, an indus-
try-wide education -campaign aimed at commit-
ting the plastics industry to the total contain-
ment of pellets. It is anticipated that SPI and
the industry will use this EPA comprehensive
study along with campaign literature and infor-
mation to control pellet releases from industry
sources to the aquatic environment.
The release of pellets from pellet producers,
transporters/contract packagers, and processors
can be controlled through actions identified in
this study. Recommendations to She plastics
industry are
• Adopt the SPI 1991 Pellet Retention
Environmental Code and the 1992
Processor's Pledge. The code is a
commitment to total containment of
plastic pellets, and was developed by
SPFs resin-producing members in
response to findings of this and other
EPA studies. This code encouaages
source reduction activities to prevent
releases, and suggests ways to recap-
ture pellets that are spilled,
* Educate employees and train them to
minimize pellet spillage and loss.
Employees must recognize their role in
preventing releases.
* Install pallet containment systems or
me portable containment apparatus-
. es. The use of inexpensive portable
screens or similar devices can effec-
tively control pellets at the spill
source.
* Institute pellet containment activities
during routine plant operations. For
example, cleaning pneumatic lines into
a portable screen before breaking
connections will minimke pellet loss
.- through spillage.
* Improve the quality and frecpieney
of pellet spill cleanup procedures.
Frequent vacuuming and broom-
sweeping collect pellets before they
escape into the environment.
* Use puncture-resistant packaging
arid minimize the .use of valved bags,
The use of reinforced valveless bags,
such as polypropylene woven bags that
are sews shut, would minimize pellet
loss due to damaged or incompletely
sealed packaging.
9 Inspect shipping containers before
loading and after offloading of pel-
Sets. Containers may be resealed or
repaired before additional pellets are
lost, and pellets May be recovered
instead of being released into the envi-
ronment,
• Inspect shipping vehicles (e.g., rail
hopper cars, bulk trucks, freight
trucks) before and after loading and
offloading of pellets. This will pre-'
vent spillage from leaking railcar and
truck valves, and securing the valves
with tamper-resistant cable will dis-
courage pellet loss due to vandalism.
* Recycle spilled pellds* By recycling
spilled pellets^ the plastics industry can
recover revenue that would have been
lost by 'disposing them, and wUS mini-
mize pellet releases to the environment
during trash disposal.
Many of the recommended1 control mechanisms
are currently available and are being voluntari-
ly implemented by some companies within the
plastics industry. Most of the mechanisms*
such as employee education, portable screens,
and improved housekeeping, control pellet
releases immediately at the source; these mec-
hanisms can be easily and inexpensively imple-
mented. Systems that direct spilled pellets into
one containment area are effective but are
more expensive to implement.
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
-------
NEXT
The plastics industry should play a major role
in protecting the environment by voluntarily
'implementing the recommendations identified
in this report, which includes adopting SPFs
Pellet Retention Environmental Code and
Processor's Pledge<
EPA wUl continue to work with SPI and the
plastics industry to implement the recommen-
dations, and will industry progress in
eliminating pellet releases.
Using Jhe existing regulatory framework for
guidarice, EPA will continue to monitor storm-
water effluents for compliance.
Hajtic PeUels in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and ReeonunendftiioM
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1.0 STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Over the past few "years, public and scientific
awareness has increased concerning the aes-
thetic, economic, aad biological hazards asso-
with persistent manmade debris in the
aquatic environment. In response to public
and Congressional about Ae debris,
the White House Domestic Policy Council
formed an Interagency Task Force on Persis-
tent Marine Debris la 1987. The Interagency
Task Force (FTP) was chaired by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• (NOAA) with partieipatioa by 12 Federal
agencies, including the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA). The TTF wai to
the problem tad the need for
Identify potential reduction measures, and
consider alternative actions to address the
problem of plastic marine pollution" (TTF,
1988),
As a result of increased reports of resin pellet
Mgestion by aquatic wildlife and evidence that
the ingested' pel lets may be harming the wEd-
life, the HP resin pdJets
known as plastic as a debris problem
that required additional research. These
pellets are the raw from which plas-
tic products- are manufactured. When released
into the environment, these pellets either
float on or near the water surface, may be-
come suspended at mid-depths, or may sink to
the bottom of a water body. Whether a specif-
ic pellet or on the type of
used to the pellet, on additives
to modify toe characteristics of the
(pellet), and on the -density of the- receiving
water. The pellets most commonly found in
the environment are composed of polyethylene,
polystyrene, and polypropylene (EPA, 1990a).
These compounds are also the most
commonly used (Prater, 1987),
The IFF '(1988) and others (e.g., Prater, 1987;
Colton £1 al., 1974; Ryan, 1988b) sever--
al sources of pellets in the environ-
ineludiog: "(1) pellet manufacturers, (2)
ships transporting the pellets, (3) pellet proces-
sors,, and (4) pellet transportation vehi-
cles. . However, evidence was unavailable to
support or confirm the ' importance of toe
suspected sources. Therefore, discussions of
likely sources were limited to Suspicions or
educated guesses. As a result, one of me
recommendations of the Task Force was for
Federal to conduct to deter-
mine land-based and water-based of
debris including plastic pellets.
The Task Force did not address whether plas-,
tic pellets in the environment and resulting
.environmental problems ware associated with
historical releases or were related to current
releases. However, In the late 1980s, the
Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI), had
reported that plastic in the environment
have been the of historical
and that the industry had_ addressed these
(SPI, as cited fa. CMC, 1988). In
contrast, Heneman (1990) reported a 200% to
400% increase in the numbers of pellets pres-
ent fa the North Atlantic Ocean between 1972
and 1987. to addition, recent, results from
EPA studies conducted in several U.S. harboa
(EPA,
distribution of plastic pellets, most of
were not and were probably re-
leased recently. The EPA found that
« Plastic pellets' are present in harbor
that are inaccessible to
ships and other major ship traffic,
implying that these-vessels are not the
only source- of plastic pellets In the
environment
-------
Harbors of cities with older combined
overflow (CSO) *coa-
talned significant of .pellets
In the (EPA, 1990b,
« Harbors near known production,
port, and bad
of (EPA,
« Pellets are la CSO and storm
outfall and
In
These- that the indus-
try a likely of
Ae and that signifi-
cant exist.
to its 1990 to the Con-
ft> aaf
EPA as in
item of partienlir (EPA,, 1990a) due
to increasing evidence ecological.
from materials, EPA in-
aa Item to the
of to the
and to evaluate
1,1
As of EPA's to the
included in the Report to the (EPA,
1990s), a was to
possible land-based of plastic
within the plastics industry, including peito
(producers), and
"Hie objectives of this
to (1) and of
pellet into the (2) evalu-
ate the significance of source as t pellet
pathway, and (3)
for controlling or the
of pellets.
To obtain the 10 meet
objectives, EPA
These to
« Review the literature on plastic pellet
characteristics.
* pellet producing and pro-
ia the
industry,
« Determine _ the procedures to
die the vari-
ous
* the oa the envl-
of plastic pellets
when into the
* Contort site to
in the of the
Industry to and ill
potential release points to the environ-
and to the for
controlling pellet
• Continue in the
U.S.
* Evaluate potential of
into
* an
SPI.
This report the and
are of
the following
* Chemical and physical properties of
pellete, including and
on pellet befaaviof fa fee
2).
* Geographical distribution of and
the known and of
in • the
3).
9 Generic descriptions of minufictaring
and of plas-
tics industry (pellet producing,
and
operations) (Sectlffo 4).
Plastic Pdkts in the Aqimiic Environment Sources tad Meeonameadatifioi
-------
Summaries of observations made dur-
ing the visits to several facilities in
each Industry sector (Section 4).
Identifications of likdy pellet release
points in eieh sector of the industry
(Section 4),'
Existing regulatory framework and
other government ,and Industry efforts
to address .the pellet problem (Section
5).
Recommendations for controlling pellet
releases (Section 5),
1.1 AQOTOWLHQGMENT
The study was completed with tb'fc assistance
and cooperation of the Society of the Plastics
"Industry, Inc., which is & major trade organi-
zation representing the plastics industry.
Information was gathered through discussions
at SPI meetings- in Washington, DC, and
through site visits to seven different companies
(two pellet producers, two transporters/pack-
agers, and three processors), which were
arranged by SPI- is response to a -request for
voluntary study participants. Information
gathered at and supplied by these companies
was invaluable to this study.
Plastic Pelleto in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommeadatioos
-------
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2.0 PELLET CHAKACBEEIZATION
"The demand for a wide variety of plastic prod-
ucts has, necessarily, created a demand for
many different resins (polymers) and resin
blends. Resins are synthesized from petroleum
or natural gas derivatives, iuch as
* Acetylene: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
polyurethane
• Ben«ne: Polystyrene (PS), polyure-
fljane, ,aerylonitrMe/butadiese/styrene
(ABS)
* Butadiene; Polyurethane, ABS
• « Eihylene; Polyethylene [high-density
(HOPE) and low-density (LDPE)], PS,
polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
PVC, ABS, polyurethane, polyesters
• Methane: PET, polyurethane
• Naphthalene: Polyuretbane
* Propylene; Polypropylene (PP)» poly-
urethane, polyester
* Toluene: Polyurethane foams, elasto-
mers, polyesters; also used to derive
benzene
• Xytenes PS, PIT, ABS, unsaturated
polyesters, polyuretbaae
By blending polymers, creating new polymers,
and Incorporating additives, resins may be
tailored according • to the desired application
and end product (EPA, 1990s),
An estimated 60 billion pounds of resin are
manufactured annually in the United States,
Rgure 1. Examples of Different Pallet Sizes, Shapes, and'colors.
Left to Right: Polystyrene, Titanium Oxide, Polyethylene;
Plastic PdLkte in the Aquatic Environment: Source* and Reconeunendatioai
II
-------
Tabto 1. Annual U.S.
from (1991)]
Rain
Thermoplastic Beans
Low-density pefyatiyletti CLDPB)
Pol jvlnyldilofide (PVQ
and copoly mers
ffigiHfetisity polyetbytaae (HDPB)
Polypropylene (PP) md copolymers
Polystyrene (PS)
Thermoplastic polyester —
(PET)
ThenDOpIaBlic polyester —
P»BT)
(ABS)
Otter slyreaies
Other vinyls
Polytnuide (nylon)
Acrylic
Thermoplastic
% Aanuaf
19B9
18.5
14.7
14.0
12.5
8.S
3,6"
— ,
2.1
2.0
1.5
1.0
1.3
0.9
1990
19.3'
15.1
13.8
.13.2
8.4
3.1*
—
2,0
1.8
1.5
0.9
1.2
0.9
Resin
Polycarbonate
Wypbeoyiene-bssed alloys
Styread/aayloaitrile (SAN)
Polyscstyl
CelMosica
Thermoset Resins
Pfaeioltcs
Polyttrethane
Una and tnelarmae
Poly«ter» unsatunfed
Ofljers
% Annual
19B9
1.1
0,3
0,2
0.2
0.2
4,5
5.5
2.4
2.3
O.S
0.6
0.5 •
If'fH
1.0
0,3
0.2
0,2
0,1
4,6
5.3
2.3
2,0
0,8
0,5
0.5
HA; Not *vaa»bk>,
tQtt] aamiai KaJOs of 58,151 sr.ti 6!(48<5 blilioa poundsof regb in (9f$aad S9W, respeeiivsiy.
for PET, HJT, and otber th*Rnopk«ck poiyaeter wsiat,
of which is If pound of
HDPE
22,000 (Mr. of
the Inc., ^conmuai'-
1991, Washington, DC), and
this aumber is to all pellet-
ized resins, more titan 1 quadrillion (1- x lO1*)
pellets may be-produced tnnually. Palletized
resins, or, simply, pellets, are produced in
(e.g., disto,
and cylindrical nibs), and colors,. a few
of we shown in Figure L Resins
be In
granules, flakes, and
*•»
Two are
Md (EPA,
1990a). Thermoplastic can be or
without or "dungtag Ae
chemical or physical properties of the poly-
mer; ire MgMy .malleable but become
rigid coaled. Because^ttie
be the point of t
afld the at
-which the
12
Plutie Pellrti in the Aquatic Envkoianent: Sources »nd
-------
resins ire kept in a liquid (melted) state for a
minimum amount of time and are pelletlzed as
soon as possible (EPA, 1990s),
Thermoplastic resioi comprised 83% and 84%
of the annual U.S. resin sales in J989 and
1990, respectively (Table 1); U.S. resin sales
increased 5.5% in 1990 after, no increase in
1.989 (Martino, 1991). The most commonly
used thermoplastic resins include LDPE, PVC,
HDPE, and PP; these resins accounted for
61% of the total resin production in 1990
(EPA, 1990a). Common products made of
thermoplastic resins include milk bottles and
other food containers.
In contrast to thermoplastic" resins, thermoset
resins are stronger when exposed to high
temperatures, tend to be rigid, infusible, and
insoluble, and cannot be remelted and re-
formed, Thermoset resins often are shipped to
processors is liquid form, where the resin is
cured and molded (EPA, 1990a), The most
commonly used thermoset resins include pfae-
nolics and- polyurethane resins, Thermoset
resins typically are used in building materials
and automotive parts (EPA, 1990a),
Thermoplastic and thermoset resins are further
categorized according to the volume produced
and the market demand for the resin. The
categories and the uses of the resifls are listed
below.
» Commodity resins
These resins 'are produced in large
. quantities and are used as the raw
materials for many plastic products.
These resins are libeled as commodi-
ties because they are commonly used
and are not refined, or differentiated by
the resin manufacturers. Commodity
resins, such m LDPEt PVC, and
HDPE, are 'the least expensive resins
to produce (EPA, 1990a).
Transitional resins
These resins are produced less fre-
quently than commodity resins but
more frequently than engineering/-
perfarmanee resins (discussed below).
Transitional resins, such as PP, ABS»
and acrylics, are also more expensive
to purchase than commodity resins
(EPA, 1990a).
Engineering/performance rains
These resins have narrowly defined
applications and are produced by only
a few companies. Engineering/perfor-
mance resins, such as polycarbonate
and nylon, are the most expensive
resins to produce" (EPA, 1990a).
2.1' ADDITIVES
Some resins are used in the pure-polymer
form, but, more frequently, me properties of
the polymer must be changed to produce the
• desired end product. Additives, are used to
alter the physical characteristics of the poly-
mer, such as aesthetic properties (e.g./color),
physical properties (e.g., heat-resistance and
hardness), and the ability to be further pro-
(e.g., porosity) (EPA, 1990a). Table 2
shows additives, additive concentrations, and
typical polymers to which the additives are
applied,
The type of additive determines when and how
die- additive is applied to a polymer. Two
methods _are used to incorporate additives:
(1) the additive (solid or liquid) is mked with
the polymer, or (2) the additive is reacted
chemically with the polymer (the additive is
bonded with me polymer),
Is ecological discussions, this distinction is
very important when considering leaching of
the additives into the environment and poten-
tial toxicological effects of the additives.
Plastic Pelkts in the Aquatic Environment Sources and Recommendations
13
-------
Table 2. Characteristics and Uses of Plastics Additives.
[Adapted from EPA, 1
Examples of Types . Additive Coat*
aw
Antimicrobials — Increase resistance to microorgajaisms
OxybispbencHUuvne; isotiaiazalone Low (<1)
Antkuddants — Prevent ddterioraiios duriaf processing
and loog-terta use
Pbeoolics; amines; phosphates; tfaioesters Low (< 1}
Antistatic agmts — Control static buildup during
processing ami in final product
Amlne sails; phosphoric acid esters; palyediers , Low (< 1)
Stowing — Add porosity to produce foamed plastics
Azoysfonnanride; dUorofluoroe&rboaa; peatana Moderate (1-5)
^ Catalysts anil curii^ agents — Facilitate polymerization
and curing of resins
Nuaertjus Low(
-------
Table 2. Characteristics and Uses of Plastics Additives, (continued!
[Adapted from EPA, 1990aJ
Examples or Types Addiiwe Cone,*
-:- Ob)
R-ee-radleaS iniiiaiore — Assist in polymerization
and curiag processes
Peroxides; azo compounds Low (<1)
Heat stabilizers — Improve beat resistance or prevent
degradation by heat
OrgaBoiin mercaptides;, lead compounds; barium, Moderate (!-5)
cadmium, and zinc soaps
Impact modifiers — Improve strength and kopaet resistance
Metfascrylate bwtediepe styreoe; chlorinated PE; High (10-20)
acrylic polymers; elhylene vinyl acetate
Lubricants and mold release agents — Improve viscosity,
reduce Jraetioo between resin and sunouading surfaces
Fatty acids; alcohols and amides; esters; metallic Low (
-------
the repellent requires the intentional dispersion.
of pellets in a. given area. Thus, this and
applications for pellets may involve inten-
tional, as opposed to accidental, introduction
of pellets into the environment
Table 3. Polymer Densities.
[Adapted from EPA (1990a) and Anon, (1988a)l
Resits
Thermoplastic Reins
PaSyrtyieae (PS)
Other styietues f&-g.» styienfr-
hutadime and s£yrene-bsaed latexes,
stywie-aaleie anhydride (SMA),
styreofr-batadieoe (SB) polymers]
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
TfaenaoptoMie polyester —
polyethylene tertpfatWate (PET)
PolyviayJcMoride and copolymers
(PVQ
Polyxmide (nylon)
AcrylonitFUe/butadieae/gytraae (ABS)
Polypropylene asd copolymcra (PP)
ThermopiastiC elaaiciuers
Acrylic
Polycarbomate
Ctellulosics
Polyacetal
Other vinyls (e.g., poiyvinly acetate,
polyviayl butyrol* polyvinylidme
chloride)
Iteisity
Cg/mL)
1,04-1.08 '
1.05-1.14
0.89-0,94
1.29-1,40
1,30-1,58
1.074.08
1.01-1.08
0.89-0.91
NA
1.174.20
1.2
1.094.24
1.414.42
L 164.35
Resira
Thermoplastic Resins (corstinued)
Styrene/tcrylonitrile (SAN)
Polypho»ylen®-bawd alloys (i,e.»
modified piieaylene oxide and
modified pheoyiese
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Henaoplastic polyester —
polybutylene teepfatolatB (PBT)
Tlwinc^et Resins
Phenolic*
Polyurethane
Poiywter,, uasatunted
Epoxy
Attyd
Urea anil melamiae
Others (swtM-volunje filennoplMtic
and fliennosel rains)'
Sea water
Fresh wate-
Density
(g/raL) '
1.024.08
1.064.10
0.94-0.96
1.30-1.38
1.24-1.32
1.174.28
1.014.46
1.11-1.48
1.30-1.40
1.47-2.00*
NA"
1.024.03
< 1.015
NA: Not»vsikbJe.
*V«3ue a for PET, PBT, «nd oftuw thwmojilajitk: polyester nmsa combined, '-
bDer,jjt8t« IK for filled moWilJf syitams; values for unfilled p«lku weft not available.
"I»elu
-------
2.2- PELLET BEHAVIOR'IN
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
Many types of resin "pellets float in fresh water
or sea water (Table 3). Basically, pellets and
granules with specific gravities" lower thai
water will float, and pellets with higher specif-
ic gravities than water will sink. Additives
may affect polymer density, thereby influenc-
ing whether a pellet will float in water. Be-
cause salinity affects water density, a particular
resin pellet could float in sea water, but sink in
firesn water.
Most additives are used in moderate to low
concentrations (Table 2), and the additives
may not significantly alter the pellet's ability
to float in fresh water or sea water. However,
some additives -and polymer modifications will
result in significant changes in the pellet spe-
cific gravity and, therefore, will affect the
pellet's ability to float or sink'in water. The
changes in specific gravity that were caused by
the introduction of additives (fiber/flike rein-
forcements or paniculate fillers) into six com-
modity resins are shown in Table 4,
Hydrodynamic, processes, such as turbulence
and surface tension, may affect a pellet's
ability to float. For example, turbulence may
either submerge pellets that would normally
float at the surface, or resuspend pellets that
would normally sink below the surface or to
the bottom. Also, waters with high surface
tension, such as waters containing a debris
slick or discharge from a municipal sewage
system, may, either support particles with a
density greater than water or keep an other-
wise buoyant particle submerged.
Limited data are available that describe the
biological ^and chemical activity of pellets in
the environment. Van Franeker (1985) report-
Table 4. Effects of Two Additives
to the Densities of Selected Commodity Resins.
[Adapted from Anon. (1988a)]
Polymer
ABS
Polyamide (nylon)
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polystyrene
PVC
Density
without
Additive
(g/mL)
1.01 to 1.08
1.07 to 1.08
0.92 to 0,975
0.89 to 0.91
1.04 to LOS
1.30 to 1,58
Density
with •
Additive8*
(g/mL)
1.18 to 1.61"
1,13 to 1.62s
1.18 to 1.28"
1.04 to 1.23*
1.22 to LIT11
1,20 to 1.50s
1.42 to 1.50s
1,30 to 1.70*
•Additive; Fiber/fluke reinforeer.
''Additive: Putieukte filler.
Plastic Pellets in She Aquatic Environment: Sources and Reeommend^tioni
1?
-------
ed that many • additives ace known to be toxic
and that toxic from the plastics addi-
tives may,be more significant to aquatic orgtn-
than was previously Aought, Ryan et a!,
(1996) that in the
manufacture of be by
the Known and
biological of in the
environment are in in
3.3.
The of a pellet to the environment
may be in* years, _ depending on the
type, the types and amounts of additives,
and the of the and' to
.EPA (1990a) esti-
mated that fte - lifetime of products
less 1 to 10
years, on the product. In the
ic environment, the can be
by biological or fouling, buildup
within tibe plastic, by microscopic
sad availability of
oxygen (EPA, 1990a).
pellets are small, lightweight, buoyant.
(if the pellet's gravity is lower
that of and in the
environment, are s haz-
ard to who the
for prey. Section 3.0 address-
es the geographical distribution of pellets,
of pellets to the aquatic environment,
and impacts of pellete on birds, turtles, other
biota, and humans.
1 * Pbutie Pellet* in the Aquatic Environment: Scurcw tad ReeoimnenikfieBi
-------
3.0 THE PELUET PROBLEM
Plastic pellets are among the smallest Items of
debris discharged ifito the aquatic environment.
They are, therefore, not as visible (aesthetical-
ly displeasing) or as obviously harmful as
larger forms of debris, such as discarded
fishing gear, medical wastes, etc. This is
evidenced by their exclusion from -debris in-
ventories reported from the annual beach
0.e., CMC, 1989, and from all
but one of the National parks studied by Cole
et al. (1990), However, these small plastic
pellets are often mistaken for food by aquatic
animals, particularly seabirds.
3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL DIOTRIBUTION
Although plastic pellets are one of the least
noticeable forms of plastic pollution, they are
ubiquitous in the oceans and on beaches. They
nave been reported in the sediments and the
surface waters of coastal areas and oceans
throughout the world (Table S); data are limit-
ed regarding the presence of pellets in rivers,
streams, and lakes. The ubiquity' of pellets is
demonstrated by their presence in remote areas
of the world, such as beaches of the South
Pacific (Gregory, 1977) and Hawaii (EPA,
1992b). Among the earliest records of pellets
in the environment were the studies by Car-
penter et al. '(1972) and by Carpenter and
Smith-(1972). These studies reported pellets
in the Atlantic Ocean along the southern coast.
of New England and in the Sargasso Sea,
respectively. Several other authors also have
reported pdlets in the Atlantic Ocean (e.g.,
Golton et of,, 1974; Hays and Cormons, 1974;
Morris, 1980; van Franeker and Bell, 1988;
Ryan et al., 1988), In the Pacific Ocean,
pellets have been reported in northern waters
(e.g., Wong et at., 1974, as cited in Pruter,
1987; Dahlberg and Day, 1985; Pay et a!.,
1990) and in southern waters (Gregory, 1977).
Pellets have been reported along -the coasts of
the Mediterranean Sea (Sh'iber, 1979, 1982,
1987), and the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
Sea (Carr, 1987; Cole et al.t 1990). Most
pellets found in marine waters have been
identified as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene
(PP), or polystyrene (PS) (GEE, 1987).
Under the ongoing Harbor Studies Program,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has conducted studies of floating aquatic debris
in harbors along the coastal United States since
October 1988 (EPA, 1990b, 1992a,b; Ttulll et
of., 1990; Redford et al, 1992). The debris
was collected by conducting net tows at the
water surface to a maximum depth of 0.5 m.
Over 200 different types of manmade debris
were counted. By the end of 1991, sampling
had been conducted in 13 cities.and the Mid-
Atlantic Bight during a total of 20 surveys.
Plastic pellets were among the most common
items found during the Harbor Studies Pro-
gram, comprising approximately 94% (by
number) of all debris collected. The pellets
were generally ovoid, cylindrical, square,
discoid, or. irregularly spherical in shape, and
were -approximately 5 mm or less in diameter
(Figure 2). Most of the pellets were clear,
white, or off-white, but several other colors
(such as black, green, yellow, amber, orange,
blue, etc.) were also observed in the samples.
Visual assessments made by a polymer chemist
confirmed that a variety of pure polymers and
additive-containing pellets were found in the
samples (Mr. Elmer Bradbury, Battelle Memo-
rial Institute, personal communication, Febru-
ary 1991). The descriptions are also consistent
with EPA's description of PE and PP pellets
(EPA, 1990a).
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Reoommcndalksaa
-------
Table 5. Pellet Observations and Suspected PelSat Sources.
(PE polyethylene; LOPE: low-density polyethylene; HOPE: Nflh-dansltv polyethylene;
PS: polystyrene; PP. polypropylene!
Geographies! Area of Stadj
Obsenrmflem
SoorceCf) Dimi&sed ,
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Southern New England
(Carpenter «foi, 1972)
SuipwoSo
(Carpenter and Smith, 1972)
Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral sad
areas south
(Coton «ial, 1974; Cofton, 1974)
South Alkntk: Bight from North
Carolina to Cape Canaveral
(vuiDolah«fdL, 1980)
Eastern C&nadA aod Bermuda
(Gregoiy, 1983)
. Bermuda, Bahamas, and
Maiffea'a Vjneyud, MA
(WBber, 1981)
C&pe Basin aiea of South Atkntsc
(Monii,
Southwestern Cape Province, South
Africa
(Ry«n, »8Sb)
PS pdkte (0,1- to 2-tnra dk) common ks Kkntic
Bay, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, Rhode Island
Sound, Great Salt Pond, Long island Sound, tad
Block Island Sound; average 0.01 to 1 pellet pa
cubic meter. Pclkfa in cevenl fish.
50 to 12,006 particles per square kilometer (mean:
3500 particle* per square kHometei); lowest
cowxritrstkjns near the Gulf Stream.
PS and PE pdJete ( 10, WO peDrts
per Ine&r meter), la eastern Canada, a maximum of
10 PE pelkti per linear meter. Lifetime of peBeli
suspected to be is low m 3 yean, PeDcts ovsrusted
with pgcudoplajiktoaic biote.
>7S% of aeuston tows in north Sargaauo So
contained pdkts. High Mnccntraiiooa (2fXX> per
i^uaie meter) on Bermuda uid BsJmmaa beuttet,
where they axe deposited by oceaa currents. PeQrta
ofteo wnbedd*d in tor baU« ("pluto-taibkUi")-
Whfto PE or PF psflctt (3- to $-mm di>) between
1333 and' 3600 pellets per squai-e kilo meter; pellets
«nd tutwUi roost common oontantunauts in area.
Predominance of PE and other polyolefin pellets,
most of which we« < 10 mg, PeUete may be tost
during hamlb'jig ud , released into the ses vk
drainage Hneg.
Efflueat from pSsstics
m.anufastufers or PS
prodiicea in sointem New
Englujxi.
Waste dumping bom ciscs
or caigo ihipt.
Wkgtcwaier discharge from
plutiei pksts- Most PS
and MJ pcUeis catered open
eout>l_ witen brtwoer,
Block Island and eastern
Long Iskrwi,
Shipping traffic and
edtninroent from other
4uma via euneats.
Released at dump sites or
spij.Sa.ge along Atlantic
Seaboard, spUkgc during
storage, handling, and
tnAtportttba activkks.
Spillage aad IOM at wut&!
msjiufkciurksg and ibipping
sites.
No imroedi^tts source fawwn
other thsa through targo
loss.
Peiietj toss during tmaspoit
or by imnu&cture of m»
products in iodu-ftrk! UC&M;
may enter Soutfa Africa via
oce&ak- sir&ulaiiori from the,
South Atlwtie.
Plaatic Pellets -in the Aquatic Environinent: Sources and
-------
Table 5. Pellet Observations and Suspected Pellet Sources, ^continued)
[PE; polyethylene; LDPE: low-density polyethylene; HOPE: hiflh-dansity polyethylene;
PS: polystyrene; PP: polypropylene)
Geographical Area -of Study
GteerrttwM
PACIFIC OCEAN
North Pacific
(Wong tt aL, 1974, as cited in
Pniter, 19S7)
North Pacific Ocean
(Day el aL, 1990)
New Zealand
(Gregory, 1977)
Alaska
(Day, 1980 and Jarrdl, pers.
commun. as oiled in Day, 1980)
North Pacific Ocean
(Day «f aL. 1986)
North of Hawaii
(Dahl»erg and Dsy, 1985)
North Pacific Ocean
and Bering Sea
(Day and Shaw, 1987)
Round, eokirksa pdlet* (1-5 -mm dk) in 64% of
tows along 35 " N longitude.
Pellets found in 6% of total itaikms and 10% of
station* with plastic, CoHeeSed primarily in
transitional and nearshore waters east of Japan,
Highest density was 6500 per square kilometer north
of Hawaiian Islands.
PE aBd PP pellets, -ovoid end irpheruloid (greater
than or equal to 5-mm dLs); 10,000 to 40,000 pellets
per' met&r on beaches in narrow zone along driJUine
or spread across the bade beach and waihover flat
Subscaniial amounls of pdlcis; PH commoo bui Pi
unknown. Ai*o reported approximMely SOG.GCQ D>
of PP pellets •were dumped .into the oceari during a
dock strike in Costa Rica.
Highest densities of pkstio debris along 40" N;
pelkiiS comprised 0.5% of all pksiic debris and
occurred at nearly 4% of the stations ,
Pellets in ncujton samples collected &kmg latitudes
31* N ar»d 34° N; densitie« must be niatively high
to have been collected at all.
Very low conccntmtiona of pcliete b tbe subarctic
Pacific, especially near the Al&skjm coaM.
Souree{s) Biscusaed
Plaitics industry,
Manufacturer outMli;
spilkge from trucks, ships,
and trains ^tils loading or
unloading; and whan used
&s baQ bearing to move
cargo.
Not discussed.
SpiQage at ports or via
streams and stoim orator
drainsg* after ipflh at
inlaml prtMsesgijig planti.
EfflusnS of plastic
manufacturer! &sid during
loading and unloading of
ships at pom.
Not discussed.
Not discussed.
Not discussed.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Reaches of Lebanon
(Sh*er, 1979)
Beaches of Costa del Sol, Spain
(Shiber, 1982)
PB, PS, and polymethyl methaerylate pellets fairly
ramnwnonntoitbeachei, Predomin&ot pdlet thape
was ovtj to round (2- to 5-mm da).
Pdkta (2,7 to 4.5 mm) present on all 'beaches
wrnpksd (13); abundant on four beaches and
common on most oOiers. Mostly LDPE (8756),
HOPE (8%), and eihytvinyi acetate (4%).
Encrusting biota abiene on pellets, indicating recent
introduction to marine environment.
Wtste disposal by several
plastics, fsctorks or oargo
lost at ie&.
Carekw dupos&l practises
at seven nearby pk^tios
Factories, or losi darisg *ea
shipment and, cargo
unloading.
Pelkts in tbe Aquatic Efivironroent: Sources ami ReoornmendatkiM
21
-------
Table 5. Pellet Observations and Suspected Pellet Sources, (continued!)
• fPE: polyethylene; LDPfE:'low-density polyethylene; HOPE; hiph-jfensily polyethylene;
PS: polystyrene; PP: polypropylene)
Geographical Area of Study
Coast of Spain
(SMber, 1987)
Obfenrttkuu ~
Spherute in great variety of shapes tnd colon,
often tar-cowed, ibundaat on most be&ehei. PdJcts
found were predoBuawtiy PE. •
Sources) DfectisMi
Some correlation between
abundance and be&tkm of
190 plastics factoiies in
art*; cargo ton during
.tmnsport Is Atlantic OMU
and Meditamaetn Sea,
Of MEXICO AND CARIBBEAN SEA
Costa Rica end Caribbean Sea
(Caw, 1987)
P&dre Island National Stoutens
(Cafe' it ol» 1990; Miller, pen.
oommun.)
L&rge numbers uFpeUobi on green Ma twrtio nesting
beftdi in Costa Rica.
All pdMa were whits and the SUM she and shape;
73% of plastic debris and 69% of all debris were
pellets.
Industrial wastcwatcr -
Unclear whether from
single or multiple'
discharge! or from a spill.
ESTUARIES, HARBORS, •AND;OTHE! COASTAL
Hubon of DM> United States
{TraUi «r oi, 1990; 'EPA, 199Gb,
l»92*,b; Redferi etal, 1991)
Kahsim Bay, Data, Htwrni
(EPA, l»2b)
Sanitary tystens in Philadelphia,
PA tnd Boston, MA
(EPA, 1992C)
Sewage outkt pipe* at factories
near Long Wand, NY
(Hays and Carmen*, 1974)
Brartol Channel, UK
(Morw and HamiltoE, 1974)
Severn Estuary and Bristol
Channel, OK
(KJnter fl a£, 1973, 1976, aa cited
in Prater, 1987)
Many different resits m assorted SIKSS, shapes, mad
colon found in all hubon studied czceft May&gflez,
PR, Hundreds to hundred -of-ihouaflnds of pellets
in each harbor. •
Avewige of 105 peUrtt per m3 were piwenJ toweew
low and high tide lines, concentrated mostly among
o&cr Mthrapogenlo sod oatunl debrij aear high fide
inea. Pellrta appc&red clears but weathered, likely
polyrtfayfene.
Many pella Lypc« coljeetcd in storm waiar out&lli
and In scum s&mples from sewage trcaljp.cnt pkni.
All clean, PE pcttetji collected it one storm water
outftl.
1- to 13-nun-dia PS pctkss found u &r u 1,1 fan
downstream of one indwtrinl outfalL PB peikts ,
alao fouftd nmr outbll* in MA, CT, tod NI,
0 to 20.WJO re pdtoa par •quare meter unevenly
-distributed in sedimeotc, PS beads incorporated mto
polycliaeic tubes, and becoming common in plaakton
sampks.
In 1973, 1-mm PS pelkli found in mud, aaud, and
on cooling water intake screens &i nuckmr power
pknia, Mtny poiyehaets worm tuta posssiructed
almoat tntirdy of poiicte. 1% tphcralm found in
tome flounder. By 1976, peUea virtually absent in
aU location* noted in 1972 and 1973,
Industrial aad municipd
storm water and G8O
•iisch&rgM,
&simneteM ihipptai or
carried by ocean oirrenli
frora _ distant bnd-4mMd
sources.
Storm water discharges
from plastict ind'ustry.
Induitrnd efflueaL
Effluent from a PS
manufacturer.
Effluent from pkstics
induitry.
.-*.
22
Pe!l«s in tic Aquatic Environment: Sources and
-------
Figure 2. Pellets Found during an EPA Harbor Studies Program Survey
In Houston, Texas.
Plastic pellets were found in the harbors of 13
of the 14 cities surveyed and in the Mid-Atlan-
tic Bight (Table 6>» and m 29 of Che 32 sam-
pling areas (two to four areas were sampled
within each city). Mayagflez, Puerto Rico,
was the only major study area In which pellets
were not found. Pellets were not found in
Hampton Roads, Norfolk, or in the
Weymoutfa/Neponset Rivers, Boston, but they
were found in other areas in these harbors.
Plastic pellets ware the most common item (by
number of items) in eight cities (Houston, New
York, Tacoma, Baltimore, Boston, - Oakland,
Philadelphia, and San Juan), awl were among
the ten most common Items in three additioEal
cities (Sin Francisco, Miami, and Seattle) and
in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. [Note: In all, only
20 debris items were collected in the Mid-
Atlantic Bight, and the percent composition
should be considered with caution.] Pellets
'were the 14th most common item in Norfolk.
Of all cities surveyed* the greatest number,
variety, and percentage of pellets were collect-
ed in the Houston Ship Channel at Houston,
Texas. Over 700,000 pellets were collected
during the Houston surveys' combined (approx-
imately 98% of all Houston debris). One
sample alone .contained more than -225,000
pellets. Although pellets of many colors and
shapes were collected, most of the pellets from
Houston were clear, white, or off-white and
ovoid. Notably, Houston has- one of the great-
est concentrations of plastics industries in the
United States and several pellet industries are
located along the' Houston Ship Channel.
Most of the pellets were found in Buffalo
Bayou, which is inaccessible to shipping traf-
fic.
A high percentage of aquatic debris collected
in Tacoma, Washington, was pellets (71%).
Unlike the pellets from the Houston Ship
Channel, those from Tacoma were similar to
Pkstio Pellets in the Aquatic Environment,' Sources and Recommendations
23
-------
Table 6. Pellets Pound during EPA AqyatJe Debris Programs.
[Adapted from EPA C1990, 1992a,b,c), Trulii etal. (1990); and Bedford eta!. (1992)
Survey
Area Sampled
Martor Stadia Program*
Boston I
Boston n
New York I
New York 1
Mid-Atlantic Bight
Baltimore I
Baltimore n
Baltimore in
Norfolk
Miami I
Miami n
Charles River
Chelsea River
My&tle River
President Roads
WeyraouA/Neponset Rivers
.Charles River
Chelsea River
Mystic River
President Roads
Manhattan Island
The Narrows and Lower Bay
Manhattan Island
Th& Narrows and Lower Bay
States Island
SchuylkDI River
Delaware River — Camdeo
Delaware River — Philadelphia
Wilmington Canyon to Norfolk Canyon
Inner Harbor
Middle Harbor
Patapsco River
Inner Harbor
Middle Harbor
toner Harbor
-Middle Harbor •
Patapseo River
Elizabeth River
Hampton' Roads
Miami River
Dodge Island
Little River
Mjami River
Dodge Island
Nearshore Atlantic
Number
Percent,
2.6S4
0
. 7
10
0
453
2
45
. 0
2,039
461
617
548'
7,601
461
197
219
1
600
110
70
2,625
524
1,972
698
7
135
6
56
51
7
jt
6*
173
1
30
0
'2
6
0
23
1
6
0
25
8
21
27
78
32
23
42
5*
20
12
IS
46
27
23
19
4
2
U
3
11
1
3
18
2
24
Plastic Pellets in the Aquaile Environment:
-------
Table 6. Pellets Found during EPA Aquatic Debris Programs. Icontinued)
[Adapted from EPA {1990, 1992a,b.c). TrutH eta/. (19901; and Bedford era/. (1992)1
Survey
Harbor Studiet Pregn
Houston I
Houston n
Seattle
Tacoma
San Francisco
Oakland
Mtyagflez
San Juan
Honolulu
Area
xaf .(continued)
Upper Ship Channel
Ship Channel
Lower Ship Channel
Upper Ship Channel
Middle Ship Channel
Duwamlsh Waterway
Lake Union Ship Channel
CoiumencemeDt Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
Bahla de Mayaguez to Puerto Real
San Juan Harbor
Honolulu Harbor
Ala Wai CanM
Number
Percent
106,759
352,790
15,660
38,199
186,936
20
4,
3,134
297
279
0
714
181
. 2
98*
99
98
96
97
8
I
. 78
9
IS
§
23
5
Iid wastes it eadi.
Pkstic Peilcts In the Aquatic Environnvcnt; Sources and
25
-------
each other in size, shape, and color. Most of
the tacoma (2732 out of 3S34
pellets) were found to a single simple. These
observations suggest that the pellets may have
originated from a single source.
The New York/New Jersey Harbor complex,
ranked second by number (11,266 plastic
pellets) and third in percentage of plastic pel-
lets (39%). In samples collected from the
and Rivers around
Island, varied considerably in color,
saaper and condition, indicating possibly sev-
sources of entry into the environment.
Some pellets from were embedded
in grease, tar, or other organic matter (includ-
ing fecal, matter), which might be expected to
accumulate on debris flowing from .combined
sewer overflows (CSO). In samples collected
the Kills (the
"from New Jersey),
of a uniform size* and color.
Immediately'following a February 1992 survey
of the harbor it Honolulu, Hawaii, the pres-
ence of pellets was studied at the beach along
Kahana Bay on the northeastern coast of Oahu,
Most of the pellets collected at Kahana Bay
were white or off-white, and many were
weathered or .discolored. Several Mack
were also fbmad in each, sample. 0a
enumerations.along three teansects, the average
number of pellets on the beach at Kahant Bay
was 105 per m* -(range: 8S. to 115
per m*). The were found inter-
spersed with other manmade debris, including
light sticks, net floats, plastic food containers,
and plastic pieces, and natural debris such as
driftwood and seaweed, and" were concentrated
in me portions of the transects that were far-
thest from the water. According to the -Chief
Scientist, many more pellets and types of
were on fee same beach in 19S9
were daring the survey
Figure 3. Plastic Powder Found during an EPA Harbor Studies Program Survey
In Houston, Texas.
26
PLwtic Pcikts ia the Aquatic Environment: Source* and Recommendation's
-------
{Mr, David Eedfbrd, EPA, personal communi-
cation, February 1992). The decreased num-
bers of pellets may have due to heavy
storm activity during the two weeks prior to
the survey, which would have resuspended
beached pellets in rough surf conditions at high
tide,
Two 'additional pellet-related items, plastic
powder and flattened pellets, were found in
cities. Plastic powder, an intermediate
form of the raw used to pellets
and molded products, was observed floating on
the witer's surface and was collected in con-
volume along with other debris. In'
Houston, this powder was initially thought to
be grain dust from nearby grain elevators, and
was discarded as natural debris (i.e., not an-
thropogenic in origin); Figure 3 shows plastic
powder collected fa Houston, However, dur-
ing the pellet producer site visits conducted
under the present study, the
recognized the powder, and plastics
personnel verified that the «material was
powder. For additional verification of these
conclusions, the investigators removed some of
the material from the .Houston and
heated the material in a metal spoon. The
grains melted and subsequently solidified into
an amorphous • mass after tooling. Tie
appeared to be plastic," although this was not
confirmed by analysis. Survey stiea-
do ' 'not collecting this powder in
other cities, but again the material pay have
been overlooked as natural debris.
Thin, irregularly shaped plastic disks approxi-
mately 1 cm m diameter (Figure 4) were iden-
tified in samples collected from several differ-
ent harbors. At the time, these disks could not
be identified, and were subsequently
counted and recorded as miscellaneous
R§yre 4. Flattened Polyethylene Pellet? {Top! and a Virgin Polyethylene Pellet (Bottom).
Pkrtib Pelleti in the Aquatic Environment: Seunxi and ReeommewMtiens - 27
I
* *
: K
-------
pieces. However, several disks Identical to
collected during the surveys were found
during a site visit to a pellet producer. The
plastic disks, found among plastic pellets, were
scattered along railroad tracks and beneath
hopper cars in the loading and cleaning
of the producing _ facility. Plastics industry
Identified the disks as plastic pellets
that had been flattened by rail hopper cars.
3.2
IN
Several researchers have soggested possible
sources of pellets to She aquatic environment
(table 5), including
• Direct discharges and improper waste
water disposal by the plastics industry
* Waste disposal and sewer discharges-
by
* Spillage from tracks, trains, and
during loading, transport, or unloading
• Improper use of pellets, such as for
packing material, for insulation, and
for to facilitate the 'movement
of cargo boxes and otter heavy ob-
jects.
Unfortunately, most studies focused on report-
ing pellet distributions and abundances, and
the source identifications were mostly oa
empirical evidence rather than on' direct evi-
dence. As presented in Section 3.2,1, the
recent EPA studies of U.S. harbors (EPA,
1990b, and (EPA, have
provided d|rect evidence- that storm
sewers, CSOs, and direct spillage into the
waterways are sources of pellets to the aquatic
environment.
3.2.1 EPA's Harbor Studies Program
,As disoissed in Section 3.1, EPA has conduct-
ed studies of floating aquatic debris in selected
harbors of the United States. One objective of
the EPA Harbor Studies Program was to iden-
tify potential sources of floatable debris col-
lected during the surveys. Several possible
sources of pellets were identified based on
field observations and conversations with local
authorities;1 these sources were CSOs and
storm sewers, storm-water runoff, and spillage
from loading docks.
The results of surveys in New York, Boston,
and Houston, for example, indicated that CSOs
aad storm sewers were sources of pellets in the
aquatic environment. In the Kills of New-
York Harbor, the cleanliness and .uniform size,
shape, and 'color of the collected pellets (as in
Tacoma), indicate a possible single source.
Because the pellets were mixed with other
debris typically discharged from storm sewers
•or CSOs, storm sewers and CSOs are likely
the discharge points for "pellets released by the
plastics industry and related transporters,
In Boston, the majority of "the pellets was col-
lected from the Charles River on the freshwa-
ter side of .the locks near the Museum of Sci-
ence. There is no commercial shipping on the
River aad there are no known pellet industries
along the banks of the River: This suggests
that are entering the ' environment
through storm sewers or CSOs that receive
storm-water runoff and other from
pellet industries,
As previously discussed, extremely large num-
bers of pellets were collected from every area
of the Houston Ship Channel, Large numbers
of pellets were found above, or west of the
turning oasin in Buffalo Bayou, where there is
no commercial shipping and tidal fluctuations
are minimal (<0,5 ft). Because of the Sack of
28
Plastic PeUeti to the Aquatic Environment Sources and Reeomfnendaibnt
-------
shipping and the unlikely transport of pellets
by tidal currents, pellets found in Buffalo
Bayou were most likely discharged from storm
sewers (Houston -has no CSOs) or carried into
the Channel directly by storm-water runoff.
The results of surveys in Tacoma and Houston
indicated that spillage at loading and shipping
docks is another source of pellets in the aquat-
ic environment, in Tacoma, a local resident
reported that a crate of pellets was spilled into
the harbor 2 months prior to the Tacoma
survey, thereby establishing the possibility that
a single discharge was a possible source of the
collected pellets (Mr: David Redford, EPA,
personal communication, March, 1989), An-
other resident stated that pellets were regularly
observed on local beaches; this would indicate
that pellet spills may be common to the Taco-
ma area. In'addition, the feet that people are
noticing pellets during recreational activities
indicates that pellets are frequently present in
large numbers; .large numbers would make the
pellets more obvious and easier to distinguish
from natural debris.
In Houston, pellets also were collected in mas-
sive numbers in the middle area of the Hous-
ton Ship Channel (areas below or east of the
turning basin). These pellets probably entered
the channel through several sources, including
spills at the loading dock, spills aboard ship,
or spills at industrial sites where pellets are
carried by rain water into the storm sewers or
are blown,into waterways. Pellets discharged
into Buffalo Bayou would also be transported
to areas east of the turning basin. Discussions
with a local longshoreman Indicated that dur-
ing ship loading operations pellet packaging
often was punctured by forklift tines. When
the pellets were transferred from the dock to
the ships, thousands of pellets would spill onto
the dock and directly into the Channel. . He
also indicated that pellets spilled onto the
docks were swept directly Into the Channel
during routine maintenance of the area.
3.2.2 EPA'i CSO Studies Program
In older cities of the northeastern United
States, CSO discharge of raw sewage and
street litter are common during heavy rain-
storms. Studies conducted under the EPA-
sponsored CSO Studies Program examined the
types and amounts of floatables discharged
from selected CSOs and storm sewers, as wen
as floatables captured by bar screens and
settled out in the scum of sewage treatment
facilities in Philadelphia and Boston. Final
data show that pellets are present in the sew-
age treatment plant scum (small-sized, floating
material at the surface of the settling tanks)
Table 7. Pellets Collected Each Day
at Sewage Treatment Facilities In
Philadelphia and Boston
JEPA (1992c)]
Location
Philadelphia
Northeast WPCP
Southeast WPCP
Southwest WPCP
Boston
Ward Street HW
Chelsea HW
Deer .Island STP
Number
Day!'
2,110
22.S20
5,520
0
0
650
Number
Bayr
1,310
19,360
0
0
160
WPCP: Water Pollution Control Pknt
HW; Hwdworioi
STP; Sewage Treatment Plant
"Daily totals calculated ba*ed on the mnalyra of
10% of the screening! and scum present each day at
each facility.
Plastic Pellets is the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Reeommendltloiw
-------
(Table 7), ia CSO of tooth"
cities, and in the -collect*
ed in Philadelphia (Table 6). No 'storm
were sampled in Boston, [Note: One
was" in the CSO In Philadel-
phia; data should be viewed with caution
it was not that the CSO
had the study.] Hie
from this study that are
ing municipal' from land-
sources, and are subsequently
tike CSO and-
storm sewer discharges.
3 J AMI
"Here, are documented de-
scribing and tages-
tlon by wildlife, notably by seablrds and
set turtles (Table 8). Generally, or
biological effects of the pellets have not been
clearly defined in most wildlife, and, to
direct
and not been conclu-
sively, "His be to the fact
that the typically use and
animals, and that die at
sea sink to-the bottom or are consumed
by predators before-ftey are found by
33.1
He of by has
reported worldwide (Table 8), md
frequently thao do
my other taxon (Ryan, 1990), Sileo cf at.
(1990) reported that 80 or approxi-
of all -seabird species, are
known to ingest plastic debris. Pellets are tibe
of
by (EPA, i990a; Ryan, 1990)." Day
Figure 5. Pellets ingested by' a Setblrd.
(Photograph by Robert Day, Afaski
Biological Research, College, Alaska)
that
remain ia th'e digestive of birds "for 10 to
15 (Figure 5).
the vulnerability of t
seabkd population to the of pellets.
« frequency of regurgltation — Birds
with a limited ability to are
to be by
ingestion. Debris in birds' are a
function of the of fte of
and (Ryan,
1990),
* Foraging — Birds that feed by
pursuit diving are the most likely to
ingest pellets, and that feed by
plunging got piracy are the likely
to pellets (Bay^f a/., 1985),
» Pellet color — ire
likely to mat are light-
30
Pellete in the Aquatic Environment: Source* and Recommendation*
-------
colored (e.g., white, tan, brown,
yellow) than those of any other color
(Sileo a al., 1990; Day a al.t 198S).
This color preference has been attribut-
ed to the pallet's similarity to common
food sources, such as fish eggs, crusta-
ceans, etc. (Day et al.r 1985).
« Prey type — Pellets pose the greatest
threat to plankton-feeding species, such
as shearwaters, petrels, prions, phala-
.ropes, and auHets (Fry etd,, 1987).
* Proximity to pellet sources — Logi-
cally, the closer that a seabird is to a
release point, the more likely it is to
encounter and ingest pellets (EPA,
1990s; van Franeker and Bell, 1988).
» Proximity to, areas where pellets
accumulate — Species that feed at the
ocean surface are more likely to togest
plastic, most probably because they are
more likely to be exposed to floating
plastic (Sileo ersJ,t 1990).
The effects on seabirds of ingested pellets and
other plastic debris were summarized recently
by Ryan (1990) at the Second International
Conference on Marine Debris (Shomura and
Godfrey, 1990). Ryan (1990) stated that
anthropogenic debris -may have three specific
effects on seabirds; (1) diminished foraging
ability or a decreased foraging efficiency, (2)
physical damage (e,f,f intestinal blockage),
and (3) physiological effects from the absorp-
tion of toxic chemicals associated with the
pellets.
Diminished foraging ability appears to- be the
most serious effect of pellets on seabirds". The
presence of pellets in the stomachs of seabirds
may create false feelings of satiation, decrease
the storage volume of the. stomach, and reduce
foraging. Ultimately, this will reduce the
ability of the seabirds to accumulate the energy
(fat) reserves necessary for migration, repro-
duction, molting, and survival of adverse
environmental conditions (Day et al., 1985;
Ryan, 1988a, 1990). These effects ' would
occur most likely in proeeliarliform seabirds,
which, compared to other seabirds-, experience
the highest incidence of plastic ingestion.
(Ryan, 1988a), However^ a few pellets to a
bird's stomach are not likely to have an ad-
verse affect, primarily because many seabirds
retain indigestible materials in their stomachs
to aid in digestion (Puniess, 1985; Ryan,
1988a, 1990), although Wallace (1985) be-
lieved that the birds could be chronically
stressed. Studies to determine a critical pellet
volume have not been reported.
Studies of..potential impacts caused by pellet
ingestions generally have indicated that physi-
cal damage probably occurs in only a small
number of seabirds. Day (1980) reported that
ingestions increased the gizzard volumes of'
some auklets, resulting in the full distension of
the gizzards and a potential reduction in. hun-
ger. Where individuals that had ingested.large
numbers of pellets, the pellets were found
embedded in sockets in the gizzard wall, but
no effects (good or bad) were noted. Day et
al. (1985) subsequently reported mat ingested
pellets reduce the storage volume of seabird
stomachs, •
In a controlled study of the effects of large
-numbers of PE pellets in white-chinned pe-
trels, Ryan and Jackson (1987) reported no
significant changes in digestive efficiency
between test and control birds. Several au-
thors have document lacerations by sharp
debris (e.g., Day et al., 1985; .Fry et a?,,
19S7, Ryan and Jackson, 1987); however,
because pellets are generally round and
smooth, it is unlikely that pellets lacerate
stomach linings in seabirds.
Finally, plastic pellets in the environment may
contain chemicals that are- toxic to seabirds.
These toxic substances may be additives that
were Intentionally mixed into the rain to
achieve specific properties, or contaminants
that were adsorbed by the pellets from the
environment. Carpenter et al. (1972) reported
the adsorption by pellets of organoehlorine
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendationi
31
-------
Table i. Pellet, digestions and Potential Effects.
Geographical Location *
Spades leportal
Ikscripttoa of TBgeitkm or EfTeds
ilRBS
Alaska
(D»y, 1980)
Califomk
(Chu, pens, Mmaiuh,, aa
eited in Day «/ ai, 1985)
Galapagoa Isknda
(Anon,, 1981, u cited in
Day ct al , 1985)
Monterey Bay, CA
(Baltz and Morcjohn,
1976)
New Zetland
(Ember, pen. commun.,
as cited in Dty a al ,
1985)
Chatham Islands ind
GoBgfa bknd
(Bourne and fate1,
1982)
Eastern Canada
. (Brown *f si, 1981, u
cited in Day it eL, 19 15)
South Africa
(Puraeii, 1983, u oitaf
in Day et al, 1985)
Dutch COMI
(via Fnuneker, 1985)
Northern fiiliwn, sooty ahearwaten,
short-tftMed theuwmtat, red- legged
kMw&ke, thick-billed murre, Cuatn'i
aukiet, pamkert aukl«t, ftjftcd puffin,
horned puffin, folk-tailed «torm-pefcrel,
Le»ofj*s storm-pelrel, northern
phfli&repe, gkiux>ua gull, bke-k-lcggc^S
kictiwskc, and least auUct-
Sooty shearwaters
Blye-footed bcwby
Northern fulmmrs, pink-footed
shearwaters, sooty ahearwaten, tbort-
tailed shearmton, Heermuin'g giiii, and
black-legged totthMke.
Grsat-wioged petrels, kwguden petrels,
Cook's petrels, blue pdnli, bro&d-bilted
prions, antarctic prions, fairy prions,
PuMnson's petrcta, wbkft-£&wd itana-
petrcls, ulvin'i prions, tad sooty
slie&rw%to«.
Browi-byjei priont and whifo-ftfiad
itonm-pttrelt.
Greater shwrwatcrs and sooty
ihearwsten
Greater ihearwrteri
Pulm*n
Ingesfions likely due to peltef resemblaiic«to n&fural
prey, and wjjj incre&«c u anaiml plastics pnxSuctiors
tad use of pellet* increase. Some particles
embedded ia gizzard walls; mean residence tune u
gizaris nay to appronmsMy 15 monthi.
Hydro-carbon poliutwiu Wflociatai witjt the peUett
m&y decrease reproductive ability of 50% of stomachs contained pdlets; toxic additives
in pellets nisy be fiAsijniktcd by birds.
32
Pellrts in the Aquatic Environment; Sources and Reoornmenduibiu
-------
ri
Table 8, Pellet Ingesttons Potential Effects, fcontinued)
Location
Spacks Reported
or
Midway Island aad O&liu
blind, Hawaii
(Fry ««£, 1987)
Wedgo-teiied shearwaters
60% of bWs contained pe!M« (majority were PP
and PE) and plastic fragments; toxioity of add stives
and orgajiDcl'iteririe potlutAnts may be less sigriificant
Jwz&ni Uwn obstmcUon/impaction of the gut of
sestoird*; riski to chick* may differ from risk* to
adults.
ScoMuh
(Pumess, 19S5)
ProeeUtrilfoim $eabMg (Letch'« petoels,
Manx ih«rwate»» and Aiknan)
Fulmars and Leach's petrels select debris' according
to their preference for particular prey aizea. Only
equivocal stalJ-stical cvidcoce for u utfluowc of
ingested plastic on body maw. Pellets not found la
British storm petrels.
l^bomtoiy experiment,
(Ryan, 1988«)'
Chicken*
Even under Ideal feeding conditions,
birds cuuiot forage u cfficieatly as
birds. Large load* of plassie anpur feeding by
reducing meal iize, which may, therefore, link
tceumttlatioo of fel reserves essentk! for
roigmtion. wrf moftaig.
Antarctica
(van Pnmeker and Belt,
1988)
'i storm petrel*, northern fulmars,
and .Cape petrels.
Pellets comprised 73* of all ingested puticlet
(oombinfid for aD «peci«); plastic pirtislei
remaining in the gizzards of petrds may penist for
sBoaths or years if not regurgitated. Decrease
fitness is a lijfely consequence of ingestioci by chioki
and adultt. Most plastic* originate us wintering
ue&a outside the Aotoctic.
South Africa and
Southern hemisphere
(Ryan, ItST)
Blue petrels, great ihearmten, wfaJte-
•faced stoim-petrek, pintado petreli, thin-
billed priori, anteetie prion, ativin'i
prion, sooty shearwater,
*retic sknm, Cary'i
baok&d •torm-petret, brotd-bUled prkm,
kergueien petrel, subaittaxctk akiis, soft-
plumaged pctrd, ^teat-win g«d petrel,
AttanEie petrel, and white-chinned petreL
Three fecton dctennlne the rate of pellets (and
plastic) Ingestion: foreging technique, dietary
specialiation, md datslty of-pellet (polutantt) in
the forapng ant*. Proedltiiifonn teabiidt exhibit
tbe largest plastic loads owing to foraging patent
at the sea surface. Secondary uigestion of piwiic
through contaniiamled prey a un«>fninon and *•»«•
found only in subanlansio skua which preys on
imaU petnsli containing pkitic i^itieles.
Gough Island, South
Atlantic Oe*an
(RyaacroJL, 1988)
Gnat Ae&rw^ers (fenaa!e« only)
Positive^ correlation between
biphenyl (PCS) and plastic loads in the
PCBs Ukely wiaw derived from ingested ptoatic
particles, acul these PCBs contribute significafitiy to
the bM&l body lo«d of PCBs m greal she&rwttcn,
Long Island Sound
(Hays and Cannons,
1974)
Gulls and tmu
PS pellets found in tern &0d gull pclkts
mdigcsUbk food).
Southern Indian
(Ryu and Jackson, 1987)
WhSte-chinned petrels
PE pclJtta lort 1 % of thar asms after 12 day § (hilf-
. life equal to &i lout 1 year); no Instances of
Lntesiiaai obstrticticn or physics! damage to the
bird*; ingested plastjc sckkjm impair* digestive
in
'Pi&stic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
'33
-------
Table 8. Pallet Sngestions and Potential Effects, (continued)
Geographical Location
Hawaii
(Site a al., 1990))
Bodega Harbor, CA
(Connors and Smith,
1912)
Qaiapago* Islands «nd
South Aflaniio Ocean
(W«Me sod Cafcman,
1983, && eked in
Wallace, 1WS)
Spedscs Reported
SeabinJi
Red plwktopeg
Blue-footed bodies, ihort-*a«d owls,
bro&d-bflkd prior, , and South Pokr ikua.
Deseriplkm of logestimi or Effects
80 spcdcs, or approSMTiately 25% of ajj sesbird
apecieg, we known to iogeat plastic defera.
6 of l.blrek contained plastic partadcs, most of
which were Pfi pelldt. Plastic ingestion may be
pmducing pbyiioiogicsl cflcci» Umt Ouatea auoeess-
ful migmsion snd bfsxxiing in regksns jentoto from
&e pollution gources.
Secondary ingestion of pdl«*« from fbad source:
blo»rfooted boofeics and short-cared owk consumed
fish containing pellets, ^ and broad-bilt.od prior;
cotuume*! a skua oontaiakg pelMt,
TUETLES
Te»s«»«rt
{PtotMo and Amos, 19M)
Texas coast
(Amos, pen, eommuu.,
, m cited in Bate, 1985)
Soulh Africa
'(Hughes, 1970, 1974, as
oited in BaJazs, 1985)
Florida
(Meytan, 1984, as sited
is Iftkzs, IMS)
Ftorkk East Gout and
Caribbean Se*
(Carr, 1987)
.Hawaii tud worldwide
{Bakzs, 1985)
Mediterranean Sea
(Gramentz, 19SS)
Texa$ coast
(Batkifl and Amo«» W88)
Texas oowt
(Staver, 1991, pen.
.eommun.)
Loggerhead, gnen, Kawtablll. and
ICsmp'g ridiey turtles.
Green turtle
Loggerhead turtles
Hawksbffl tuitfoi
Loggerhead and green sea uirtlos '
Sen turtles
Loggerhead turtles*
Loggerhead, green, and h&wksbili sea
turtles
Kemp't ridley s&t. turtles
PeUeti were Lngeatod by eight turtles , utd cornprued
7% of all ingested debris.
PE spherules in mouth of stranded, dead «c& feutle.
6% of stranded pesthateUings contain od pclkts in
ItDRUCb.
PS pelkts and other mannude materi&k in
ttomachfl.
Resemblaftcc to Sargmsum floats may account for
tagegtjo&i; youcg KB turtiea vulnerable dunng open*
ocean usocktiofiB with Stargossum rafts; large
nuinbc-rs of pelkti found on gteen sea turtle nesting
beach.
Mkrino turtles cat a wide v&riegy of synthciio
r&aicria!, inducing pelleti. Effects of toxk
chemicals rclttsed by these materials and physical
otaructiofl of the digestive tract* are two possible
«dvers« impacts.
PeUets, crude ail, and tarbalk apparently arc
ingested and excreted.
PE pellets iagested by 9% of necropsietl turtles;
high probability thai sea turtles inhabiting Texas
coast will some into contact with debris.
2% (2 ou« of 101 turtles) contained pellets; one
turtle wu wild and one was reared in captivity.
34
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
I
-------
Table 8, Pellet Ingestions.and Potential Effects, (continued)
Geographical Location
Species Reported
Description of Ingest*®® 0r Effects
FISH AND INVERTEBRATES
Severn Estuary
(Karter elal,, 1973, m
cited in Shiber, 1912 and
Pruter, 1987)
New York Bight
(Strimle, 1991 (pen,
eornmun,}
• Southern New England
(Qurpentar a aL, 1972)
Rounder and polychaetes
Lobster and winter flounder
Grubby, winter flounder, white perch,
and silversides (fish), and one ehaeto-
gnati (arrow worm)
Ingeatjons by flounder. Polyehaeteg uscoiporate
pellets into dwelling tubes.
Low numben of pellets ingested, and more common
in lobsters than m winter flounder,
PS pellets •in stomachs of S out of 14 specks of fish
and one chaeiognstb; ipecuktod that peiicts could
cause intcatinal blockage in nutOer fish.
OTHER BIOTA
North American water*
(Walker and Coe, 1990)
C&nad* and Bermuda
(Gregory, 1983)
Caribbean Sea and waters
off Florida
.(Winston, 1982)
Baleen whales
Bpibionti
Epfbionts
Suggested thai niter-feeding makes bakoi wbalcs
vulnerable to inckSente] ddbrii ingestion; stonmehs
of stranded bakcn wfcika should be cjumm&d.
Epibionts on pelkd include coralline algae,
bryoxoans, ealcareoug annelids, ftnd foramioifersuis.
Ptotics (including peUcta) encrusted with btyozoan
(Electro. leneUa); success of this spates on the east
coast attributed to Sti oolonizing of drifting smooth -
surfaced plastic.
ESTHETIC AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS
New Zealand
(Gregory, 1977)
Worldwide
(W&Ikee, 1985)
Bermuda
(Wilber, 1987)
United States
(Klenan and Wendt,
1990)
Humans
Humans
Hum&iW
Humus
Concentration* ranged from < 1 pellet per meter of
beach to > 20,000 pellets per mclrr, and may lend
to esdiedcaliy dispkasiag plastic sand bcachea.
Pdkts h*ve A negative effect on rsercational
activities; economic impact due to loss of raw
materiftls that must be replaced.
Beachgocrs shocked by the presence of high
numbers of pellets; pellets And pkjtic fragments
embed in t&Tbalk and bKcon-,cplasio-iarballs,
Labeled cornbination of plastic debris and pelkti
beach eartfeKi.
Plastic Pc-liets in the Aquaiic Boviranment: Sources and Rccornmeisdations
35
-------
compounds from ambient seawater. Day
(1980) noted a decreased ability to reproduce
In pellet-ingesting bads, which he attributed to
the hydrocarbon pollutants with
plastic, Ryan et of. (1988) provided the only
direct evidence of a correlation between plastic
loads and PCBs in seabirds, but Ryan (1990)
speculated that paint chips and tar balls may
contribute more significantly than do pellets to
the total toxic chemical load in seabirds.
Further studies are needed to determine if
pellet tagestion leads to poor bird condition or
if poor bird condition to pellet ingestlon
(Connors and Smith, 1982; Bourne and Imber,
1982; Ryan, 1987, 1990).
333, Turtles
Balazs (1985) found that marine turtles ingest
many of floating debris, including plastic
pellets (e.g., unfoamed polystyrene beads).
Evidence suggested that plastic material passes
through the digestive tracts 'and are voided
naturally. However, Balazs (1985) re-
ported that ingested debris may poten-
tially serious problems in sea turtles, such as
lost nutrition, reduced absorption of nutrients,
and adsorption of plasticizers. In addition,
plastic may adversely affect
turtles during digestion when pellets or frag-
ments are ground together by muscular con-
tractions, sod pinocytotic absorption of the
resulting microscopic plastic particles could
occur. The latter phenomenon suggested
to occur in [Pettjt elol., 1981,
as cited in Balazs (1985)].
Balazs (1985) several explanations
for tagestion by turtles,
* Marine organisms encrusting plastic
debris may be a desirable food source
or may the artificial nature of the
debris, thereby inhibiting a rejection
reflex by the sea turtles.
* Under conditions of exteeme hunger
when available food stocks are limited,
sea turtles may on that
would not normally eat.
* Prey that has consumed debris is in-
by a predator,
that the increasing volumes .of.
particles In the oceans this mech-
anism distinctly possible,
Balazs eoaeluded that additional is
fa regard to incidence and of
plastic ingestions by sea turtles,
Carr (1987) discussed the significance of non-
degradable debris. Including pellets, to sea
turtles duriag early developmental stages.
Because manmade and natural debris and
planktonie organisms accumulate Moag conver-
gences, Carr concluded that young, advanced
pelagic-stige sea turtles are vulnerable to the
of In the owkg to the
turtles* dose association with the conver-
gences. The findings of Florida (1988) and
Piotkia and Amos (1990) support Carr's con-
clusion.
3 J3 Other Biota
Although most of the published literature de-
scribing ingestiori and biological effects of
pellets concerns seabirds arid sea turtles, a few
studies have
pellets and other organisms, including fish
[(Carpenter et at, 1972; Karter el a/., 1973,
1976; Coltofl et a/., 1974; Mr, Frank Steimle,
Nations! Marine Fisheries Service (NMPS),
personal communication, August?i991)], sev-
eral- invertebrates (Carpenter et of,, 1972;
Karter et.ol., 1973; Mr. Frank Steimle, Na-
tional Mariae Fisheries Service (NMFS),
personal communicatloa, August 199!), and,
Pkstic PeUets in the Aquatic Environment Soureea and RecommoiclatioM
-------
potentially, baleen whales (Walker and Coe»
1990). Secondary ingestioas of pellets by
seabirds were reported by Wehle and Coleman
(1983, as cited in Wallace, 1985); the investi-
gators reported that the bads had consumed
other-birds and fish-that had ingested pellets.
A few investigators have reported colonization
on pellets by -biological organisms that are
normally epibioots on Sargassim floats and
other floating organisms. The epibionts re-
ported include faydrozoans and diatom (Car-
penter and Smith, 1972; Winston, 1982; Greg-
ory, 1983), bryozoans, coralline algae,
calcareous and otter worm
tubes, and foraminiferids (Gregory, 1983),
Accumulations of organic matter and tar or oil
have also observed on (Wilber,
1917; a a/,,. 1992); the presence of
these materials could Increase the possibility
that an animal might confuse the pellets with
Its food sources. Finally, one study re-
ported that pellets might be useful to some
.species: Karter' et at. (1973) found that 'poly-
worms used pellets to build dwelling
tubes,
impacts of pellets to recreational areas were
discussed by Wallace and GEE (1987),
A final impact of pellets in the environment
may be measured in. terms of economic costs.
The loss of feedstock and the of replac-
ing the feedstock may be offset only if Ae
pellets are recaptured and recycled instead of
replacing them (Wallace, 1915). The econom-
ic incentive to recycle spilled pellets was evi-
dent during the site waits of the study,
where several of the companies' were already
actively collecting and recycling waste pellet!
and plastic scrap.
33.4 Aesthetic and Economic
Several authors have documented the human
(Gregory, 1983; Wallace, 1985;
Wilber, 1987; KJemm and Wendt, and
economic (Wallace, 1985) of pellets in
the environment Although plastic may
not be as aesthetically displeasing as other
items of debris, such as sewage-related and
medical-related debris, the present
and persistence in the environment are
for notice, Gregory (1977) speculated
that some- day man will sunbathe on plastic
sand beaches; Klemm and Wendt (1990) la-
beled the combination of-pellets and plastic
fragments beach confetti, tat believed its
presence was not a celebration. The aesthetic
Pkstic Petes in the Aquatic Environment: Sources u>d Recemmcacbtiom
37
-------
-------
4,0. PELLET TO
I
Because, as reported in the literature, plastic
pellets are frequently mistaken for food by a
variety of aquatic animals (Section 3,0), atten-
tion must be giveo to the sources of the pellets
In the eavlronment. One of the objectives of
this study is to identify file sources of
release into the environment within the plastic
industry. To this ead, the. Society -of fee
Plastics Industry, toe. (SPI), arranged for
sector of the industry- — pellet producers,
transporters/contract pickagers, and processors
— to be visited by the study team. The site
visits were arranged with the understanding by
~all parties that the of'the visited compa-
nies would remain confidential. Each compa-
ny was assigned a letter in the order in which.
it was visited (i.e., the first company was
assigned the letter A, the second company'was
assigned the letter B, and so on),
The degree to which the observations reflect
the overall conditions and practices of the
plastics industry -was not determined, ' Only at
Company C did officials that no inordi-
nate or housekeeping activities
•were performed prior to the visit and that
operations were conducted as usuil during the
visit.
In this section, the equipment and operations
of each sector are described generally, and
general description is followed by a
description of tie sector's site visits. Sources
of pellet into the environment
each respective sector are presented.
producers, transporters/contract packagers, aod
processors. Figure 6 shows the organization
of "the Industry and, specifically, the flow of
plastic pellets witMn sector and
the' sectors. The are defined as
» Producers — Discussed is Section 4.2,
illustrated In Figure 6(a)
• Transporters/Contract Packagers —
Discussal ta Section 4,3, illustrated to
Figure 6(b)
• Processors — Discussed in Section
4,4, in Figure 6(c).
Miny of the operations described to the fol-
lowing sections may, in reality, occur to more
than one industry sector. For example, opera-
tions relating to pellet packaging and storage
occur at producers as well as contract pack-
agers, and conveying systems exist In all three
sectors. Operations are typically described in
the industry sector that has primary responsi-
bility for conducting the operation,
were sot available of tie of
companies from sector in die U.S. plas-
tics industry. SPI has approximately 2200
member companies, which are estimated to
represent 75% of the total dollar volume of the
plastics industry. SPI estimates that thek
metabership 98% of the pellet
producers, but only 10% of the
of within the industry (Ms.
Healey, SPI, personal
lion, AprM 1992). ,
4.1 ORGANIZATION OF THE
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
For the purposes of this study, the plastics
industry consists of three major sectors:
Pkstie Pellets in the Aquatic Environment; Sowtees and ReoommcndBlioa*
jffr-
&*
-------
Producer/Extruder
I
Transporter/
Contract Packager
I
Processor
figure SCa|
Figure 6Cb}
Figure 6(c>
la}
Raltear Cteaning
II
Liquid
Reslh
Molten Resin
Pellet Extusiori/Productton
Clean
Rali Hopper Care
Transporter/PackagerJ^M
^——^ Pefiet Movement
«i i« ii i u Empty Raltear, Sylk Twdc or
Waste Paetoflirtfl MovsrrMsrrt
not
thl* study.
rrwy be p*Uetii«d
1
Ctean
Bulk Trucks
Trudc
Cleaning
UJ
Figure 6. Pellet Flow throogh Plastics Industry Sectors.
(a) Pellet Producsrs/Extruders.
Plutic PelleU ifl the Aquatic Envwonment Source* aund Recommendations
-------
Cbl
(c)
From Producer/Extruder or Transporter/Packager
SS
«8
Ea.
is
P
CC CL
Hopper Cars
Pneumatic
Transfer -
±
Bags/Gaytords
Bulk Trucks
Manual Transfer
I
Pneumatic
Transfer
'4Sfc
a^
-
Storage Slos,
Bterxters
Molding and Product Fabrication
> Pellet Movement
itiiiiii Empty Raitear, Bulk True* or
Waste Packaging Movement
Figure 6. Pellet Flow through Plastics Industry Sectors, (continued)
(b) Pellet Transporters/Packagers, Ccl Pellet Processors.
Piastre PeUeti in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and RecommeadatioM
41
-------
4.2
The pellet producers the polymers and
extrude the pellets. The Envkonmental Pro-
tection Agency (EPA) (1990a) -reported that a
total of 477 resin-producing facilities were
operating in the United States* based- oa U.S.
Bureau of the Census (1988) estimates. Most
of the 55SOOG workers employs! by the pro-
ducers reside ~ in T«as, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Ohio,
Michigan, and California.
A diagram showing the flow of through
a pellet producer is presented in Figure 6(a).
4.2.1 Producer Equipment and Operations
Polymerisation
The production of plastic pellets begins with
polymerization. Polymerization is the chemi-
cal reactions) through which low-moleeular-
weigfat organic molecules (mon'oiners) are
linked to form long monomer chains, or poly-
mers. Polymers are produced through either
of two methods: bulk polymerization or solu-
tion/suspension polymerization.
« Bulk polymerization produces a hot,
very viscous liquid called a melt,
Mdts are pelletized immediately or
to the incorporation of
additives. Polymers produced through
bulk polymerization include
low-density polyethylene (LBPE),
polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), and polymethyl methacrylate,
* Solution/suspension polymerization
produces powders, not liquids, after
the polymer Is separated from- the
carrier solvent and dried;, drying en-
sures minimal carryover of the carrier
solvent, The powders may be subse-
quently melted and formed into
pellets or end-products. Polymers
produced ifaraugh this process include
high-density polyethylene (HDPE),
polypropylene (PP), PS» and PVC.
The ultimate use of polymers typically in-
volves one or more in which the'poly-
mer is in pellet form.
Pelletlzers
High-volume pelletizing systems have been
developed that can process over 5000 Ib of
per hour kg/h) Punt, 1978), or
approximately 110,000,000 pellets per hour.
The most common types of pelletizing equip-
ment include dicers, strand pelletizers, die-face
pelletizers, and ceotri&gal pelletizers.
* Wears — Dicers produce pellets by
feeding a quenched (cooled) strip of
polymer through rotating knives that
slice a stationary bed knife,
thereby shearing the strip into pellets
(Mark «/of., 1917).
•* -Strand Pelletizers —. Strand pelletizers •
force molten polymer through a row of
orifices (usually round), thereby pro-
ducing- continuous strands that are 2 to
4 mm dia. The are quenched
in -a water bath and passed through a
multikoife rotor that a
Fixed blade. The strands are cut into
1- to 5-mm lengths, depending on the
feed rate and rotor revolutions per
minute. Most resins can be pelletized
by this method, but very brittle or
fragile must be pelletized by
another method (Mark et al., 1987).
* Die-Face Pelletizers — Die-face pel-
molten resin through a die
face, cut- the resin Into pellets as It
42
Plastic Peieto in the Aquatic Environment: Soureet and Recommendations
-------
-through the die fece, and cool
the hot by applying either air or
water. This differs from
dicers or strand pelletizers that pellet-
ize already.^o'led resin strands. The
types of die-face pelletizers differ only
in the by which the pellets are
cooled (i.e., air, water, or a combina-
tion of air and water). Pellets, are
removed from the cooling/carrier fluid
by allowing to settle or in a
tank, depending on the polymer, and
air-cooled pellets are transferred to
storage silos. Examples of die-face
pdlettzers include water ring, under-
• water, and rotary knife pelletizers
(Marie art, 1987).
» Centrifugal Pelletizers — Ceritrtfugal
pelletizets feed molten resin into a
drum that circum-
ferential holes. Centrifugal force
extrudes the molten resin through the
" holes and forces the strands away from
the drum face, The extruded polymer
is then cut by a stationary knife that is
mounted away from the face.
The momentum of fte pellets
carries the pellets into a cooling system
(Markera/., 1987). •
The type of pelletizer determines the size
and shape of the pellets produced. Most mod-
em pelletizers are large, enclosed, fully auto-
mated systems, where the pellet flow"is con-
trolled within the peiletizar.
Conveying Systatus
Conveying are to move pellets
plant operations, such m the
pelletizers, drying systems, and the storage
silos, between the storage silos and .the packig-
tag or shipping containers, and between the
silos or'packaging and molding machines. Hie
potential for pellet spillage is present during
each conveyance, The rate of pellet entry into
the conveying system cannot the rate of
pellet delivery from the conveying system,
otherwise spills will occur. ~
Pellet conveying systems can be either pneu-
matic or mechanical. Pneumatic systems may
me either dilute-phase or systems.
Dilute-phase systems tre low-pressure
that use high-velocity air and a. high'air-to-
pellet ratio to move 'the- pellets into receiving
vessels (e.g., storage silos, .rail hopper cars).
A vacuum can also be used to pull the air and
pellets into the receiving- vessel. Dense-phase
systems are high-pressure, low-velocity sys-
tems wife a low air-to-pellet ratio. In dense-
phase systems, the conveyor is filled with
pellets and pressurized; the How of pressurized
air carries, the pellets through the eooveytag
line.
Figure 7 shows i pneumatic conveying system
in a pellet-Wending operation (e.g., where
palletized colorants are mined with pure HOPE
pellets), Each of these operations also requires
properly sequeneed procedures to avoid spills.
Mechanical conveyors are used for in-
plant pete movement These conveyors
generally are used to transport pellets
short distances, as well as in that
cannot be completed by a pneumatic
system, (e.g., operations that require a continu-
ously high pdlet-delivery rate). Most mechan-
ics! conveyors me a rigid driven to
move the pellets through a conduit Because
the screw is flexible, conveyors are
suitable only where straight conduit runs can
be installed.
Mechanical conveying may be to
transport from transporting vessels
(e.g., rail hopper cars and bulk trucks)
to storage or directly to other packaging
or processing operations. Generally, the trans-
porter empties the pellets-into a that, in
turn, feeds a mechanical conveyor. TTiese
mechanical conveyors may also 'be to
Plastic FdUeti in Ihc Aquatic Environment: Soursscs tnd Reconmendt&tionf
43
-------
t
5'
Sr
t»
o
I
I'
1
f?
e
«—•» Conveying Une
f
•#*• Points
Rail
Hopper
Car
fs________™____.
Manual Feed
Pressure (e.g., Gaylords.
Unloader Bulk Trucks)
Manual Feed
from Bags
9
IX
Figure 7. Example of a Pneumatic Convevlnp System In a Pellet Blending Operation.
{Adapted from Anon,, 1990}
-------
transfer pellets from bag- or box-emptying
to, for example, a Wending silo or a
bagging machine. In addition, mechanical
conveyors may be used also to volumetrieally
feed pellets to t blending operation.
43, j, Site Visit Observations
Two pellet producers, Company F and Compa-
ny G, were visited during this study. "Both
companies ware visited on February 5, 1991,
Company F
Company F is a large manufacturer of HDPE
polymers to pelietsed form. Company F also
produces PE powders and other nonpellet
polymer products; most of the powders are
subsequently peltetized.
The company several
during- routine operations. In the extruder
observed* during the visit, PE powder is melt-
ed, the liquid polymer is extruded through a
die, and the resulting polymer is cut into
pellets. TT»e pellets are first water-cooled,
then air-dried, and are pneumatically conveyed
to storage-silos. Pressure sensors throughout
the pneumatic system monitor the pellet trans-
fer, enabling the operators to detect potential
blockages aad prevent spills. During
routine operations, pellets may be removed for
quality control inspection after they have been
cooled. In addition* the be
opened for maintenance or corrective action
(i.e., purging during system shutdowns); all
removed from the
during maintenance or corrective action are
placed in specially labeled waste bins and
recycled; ao PE is disposed Into landfills.
Pellets are stored in large sUos until trans-
ferred into either raE hopper or bulk
trucks; over 90% of the pellets produced by
Company"P are directly loaded into these bulk-
transport vessels. Less than 10% is loaded
Into gaylords or paper peDefe are
primarily for overseas shipment). Spills in the
bagging areas are cleaned up immediately and
the .pellets are recycled.
All rail hopper cars and bulk trucks are'thor-
oughly cleaned Inside and outside before load-
ing, and outside loading. loading,
the inside of the car must be cleaned to re-
move ill residual and dinging
as well as other contaraimnts (e.g., dust) that
may be present. Pellets are remoYed first by
auctioning; residual pellets are wished out
with water. The rinse is performed to
an enclosed where residual pdlets are
washed into the facility drainage and contain-
ment system In Wow).
Several pounds of residwl 'pellets may be
washed out of a rail hopper car.
Pdlets are pneumatically transferred into rail
hopper ears or bulk trucks through a closed
loading system where the spteMer is connect-
ed directly onto the loading spout so that (he
loading spout does not have to be reconnected
at each loading port. After loading, tfie out-
side of each rail hopper car or bulk is
rinsed, and the rinse water is directed into the
facility drainage system. The pellete are
shipped directly to a processor or to a
contract packager for repackaging (e.g., bulk
shipments bags or gaylotds). Hie processor or
packager the empty rail cars or
bulk frocks to Company F,
He Company F property is so that
storm-water and wastewtter from all
areas of the plant into a facility containment
for reeapturiflf md
powders (Figure I). Tie containment
consists of a series of dams, skimmers, and
surface arrayed within a weir that rens
along two of the -facility grounds.
A major focus of the site visit was to observe
this pellet-recovery that the company
Plastic Pelsett in the Aquatic Environment; Sources
45
-------
I.
s*
!
in
1
Padeie skimmers
remove
by the
Fixed surface boom Water
through water-
quality monitoring
water surface.
skimmers.
and into the
environment.
8
I
.X
1 : of
2,4:
3,5;'Oam
6: Fixed
7:
S:
S: Water quality monitoring and
Figure 8. of the Company F Containment View).
-------
has been refining for several years, The first
stages of the recovery system were installed in
late 1980. The current recovery system con-
sists of two fixed skimmers and two floating
skimmers within 9 weir. By the end pf 1991,
it is expected that additional modifications to
the system will more effectively control the
flow of pellets under the dams.
The storm water and wastewater drain into the
weir system; PE pellets and powder are. car-
ried by the water into this system. A water ,
spray (Figure 9) is directed at the Surface of
the water to prevent the pellets from moving
back into the storm-water drainage system and
concentrates the pellets and moves them to-
ward the first fixed skimmer.
The first fixed skimmer is a motor-driven
paddle skimmer comprising several rectangular
paddles and a drive system that is attached to
the weir walls. It is designed to operate under
normal weather and operating conditions (Fig-
ure 10). The paddles skim the pellets and
powder from water surface and push them up
a trough to street level. AS the pellets are
skimmed-.from the surface, the water1 passes
under the retaining wall immediately down-
stream of the paddles. At street level, the
paddles push the pellets off the ead of the
trough into a containment area. • The contami-
nated (unclean) pellets are collected from this
containment area and are shipped loose via
truck to a recyclar or to be sold as scrap.
According to Company F officials, this first
fixed skimmer generates a very large (but
unknown) volume of recyclable material;
during the site visit, approximately 100 cubic
feet of waste pellets was observed ia the con-
tainment of the first fixed skimmer (Fig-
ure II).
&
^
I
I
Figure 9. Facility Drainage System Outfall into the Company F Containment System.
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations 4?
-------
I
VleW
Figure 10. Upstream View of the First Fixed Skimmer In
the Company F Containment System.
Figure 11. Pellets in the First Fixed Skimmer Containment Area at Company F.
* W*«tic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment; Scarce* and
-------
i.
During normal conditions, the first fixed skim-
-Is nearly 100% effective in removing
powders and pellets. However, during-anil
after periods of heavy precipitation, the fixed-
sWoMner system is" breached by high water
levels, and the paddles become partially or
totally submerged and do not skim the pellets
from the surface; according to company offi-
cials, this was the condition,just prior to and
during the site visit. By contrast, during
of drought or abnormally light precipi-
tation, the water level can drop so low that the
paddles are completely out of the water. In
either of these two situations, the first fixed-
cannot operate properly,
allowing the pellets to bypass the skimmer and
proceed downstream to the second fixed-skim-
mer
Hie 'second fixed skimmer is located several
yards downstream of the first fixed
skimmer. The second fixed skimmer and its
pellet containment area are configured identi-
cally to the first -fixed skimmer and its contain-
ment area, A white mass of accumulated
pellets, and powders was observed between the
two fixed skimmers. The mass resulted from
either a breach of the first fixed-skimmer
system or entry into -the weir system in the
storm-water runoff from downstream of
the fixed skimmer, 'The water level had
not yet receded, and the paddles were com-
pletely submerged in the water and1 could not
the surface. Pellets
powder were also accumulating on the down-
stream side of the second feed skimmer and'in
of a fixed down-
stream of the second skimmer; this accumula-
tion was likely me result of a breach of the
second fixed-skimmer system.
A short distance downstream of the surface
boom are two retention ponds. The first pond
holds the wptewater before it is pH-adjusted,
The water flows from the first pond through
the pH-idjusting station and into the
retention pond. No pellets could.be at
the upstream side of the pH-adjusting station.
In the second retention pond, a portable sur--
face'boom is positioned'in front of waste-water
culverts that to the facility outfall.
and powders collected at this point are re-
moved by a vacuum (Figure 12)'. From
this basin, the' water passes into the eovirQn-
ment through the culverts, through a water
quality monitoring station and the outfall, and,
through,a small stream into a nearby river.
Three times each week, one 24-i sample is
collected at the outfall water-quality monitor-
ing station. Total suspended solids (TSS),
with "all National Pollutant Dis-
charge Elimination System (MPDES) analytes,
are for each simple. Company F
'officials that the water may not
pellets, but it collect powder.
Only one pellet could be the
of the stream immediately below the outfall,
the heavy rainfall and large
numbers of pellets in the weir.
Despite torrential rainfall the previous night,
the Company F containment system was ex-
tremely effective in preventing the discharge of
pellets. Company F developed this relatively
simple but effective system, in part, to comply
with' NPDES permit regulations that limit TSS
discharges. Prior to developing this system,
Company F exceeded the NPDES permitted
levels for TSS owing to the presence of poly-
mer powder and pellets. However, the compa-
ny recognizes the -environmental hazards that
pellets'pose and is & to
mMmize its contribution to the problem. The
company, also recognizes the advan-
to recovering and recycling pellets.
Company F officials believe that She
operation of their pellet is
accomplished through a combination of physi-
cal plant systems and employee commitment.
As a result, all new employees -are trained in
pellet spill prevention and cleanup. In addi-
tion, Company F has a video of its pellet
containment measures; this video is required
viewing by all new operators.
Pkrtfc Peltes in lie Aquatic Environment: Source*
49
-------
Figure 12. Portable Boom and Manual Pellet Recovery from
the Company f Containment System.
Currently, company officials estimate that the
recovery system Is nearly 100% efficient under
normal operating conditions, as evidenced by
the absence of pellets at and beyond the out-
fall. However, during periods of heavy ram-
fill, the efficiency of the system
allowing plastic powder and, to a lesser de-
pee, pellets .to be discharged into the environ-
ment. On the day of the site visit, the heavy
rainfall had stopped before the visit began, and
the recovery system was .returning to normal
conditions. Company F anticipates that future
system modifications (scheduled to be complet-
ed 'by the end of 1991) will control powder
and pellet discharges during abnormal condi-
tions (I.e., heavy rainfall).
Company G
'The second pellet producer visited under this
study was Company G. Company G manufac-
tures approximately 6QQ million powads of
pellets each year, the bulk of which are
shipped by raU hopper car. Pellet manufactur-
ing is ooly one of several operations at tills
facility. Pellets are also bagged or boxed
onsite, and a portion of the pellets we shipped
by using bulk erucks.
Drainage ditches are located along the roads.
throughout the Company G facility. All
water and wastewater runoff are directed Into
the facility drainage system for treatment and
are discharged into the river idjaeent to the
property. Disposable surface booms were
located at several junctions in the
ditch system. The surface booms prevent
floating material, such as plastic pellets, from
backflowing -into' nonpellei-related of the
facility, 5"
The first area observed was the rail hopper car
loading area. The rail hopper car loading area
50
Plastic Pelfcte in the Aquatic Environment* Sources and Rsoommewiatioog
-------
is paved and has drainage gutters or troughs
between • each pair of rails. Pellets spilled
during loading are washed into the gutters and
carried into the facility drainage system.
Pellets could be ,«een throughout the rail
hopper car loading area, on the ground, and in
the gutters. Pellets* including those that had
flattened raH hopper cars,.
were also visible throughout fte area.
At the point where the gutters discharge into
the facility drainage system, Company G had
installed a simple containment system. After
flowing from the gutters, the pel!ets are col-
lected "by using concrete barriers that act as
fixed skimmers in a reservoir from
the facility (The, in the
reservoir is "than the water in the drain-
•age system.) Pellets fte reservoir from
the fixed and float to the
surface of the reservoir. An electrically-pow-
ered surface skimmer pumps floating pellets
and water from the surface- of the reservoir
into a box-shaped basket made of-small-mesh
(smaller than the diameter of the pellets).
screens. This system continuously skims the
and collects in the bas-
where they until they are removed
by Company G employees. The
are twice workshift and
pellete are removed.
Water flows through the into
the reservoir .and into the facility drainage
system under a fked skimmer. The
second fixed prohibits the flow of
pellets into the drainage system, even during
periods of heavy precipitation. (Both fixed
skimmers extend, well above the normal water
level in the reservoir.) Additional small,
portable floating skimmers -are used at strategic
locations to capture any pellets that enter the
containment system from other areas of the
facility.
The rail hopper car cleaning area was also
visited; this area was located some distance
from the loading facility. Before loading, the
Interiors of the rail hopper cars are completely
cleaned to remove residual pellets. These
pellets are rinsed onto the ground and are
directed by using a water spray into troughs
alongside the rais. The troughs transport the
pellet-laden wastewater to a collection reser-
voir where it through a small-mesh
screen capturing the pellets.
During the site visit, piles of pellets were
visible 'on the ground throughout the rail hop-
per car cleaning area and the area's contain-
ment system had overflowed; in some areas,
pellets were piled as high as 1 ft.- The con-
tainment system in the rail hopper car cleaning
area, configured similar to the system ID the
rail hopper car loading area, was completely
with pellets, and several employees
were shoveling the pellets Into barrels for
disposal (the barrels were 'then emptied into
dumpsters), An employee said that Ms pellet-
overflow condition was typical during periods"
of heavy rainfall and during unusually busy
periods. It was unclear whether the contain-
ment system at the rail hopper car cleaning
area was linked to the facility drainage system.
It was also unclear whether the runoff in the
raO car and
(where covered the ground)
directed into the system or elsewhere.
Scattered pellets and small patches of accumu-
lated pellets were observed on walkways and
in the parking areas of the rail hopper car
loading area and the rail hopper car cleaning
area. Loose pellets frojn the rail hopper car
cleaning apparently were tracked to
outsidfe toe rail hopper car cleaning area. The
fate of these pallets was not identified 'during
this site visit.
Pellets collected by _using the
systems described above are recycled. Com-
pany G officials that between ,25,000
and 60,000 ft of recyclable pellets are recov-
ered each month from "the rail hopper car
cleaning area alone. No estimates were avail-
able for the total volume of pellets recycled by
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment* Sources and Rescoimoetjditioijg
51
-------
the facility month, to addition, Company
G that rail car
are often found' the raU
hopper ear to the rail hopper car clean-
Ing § of to the envi-
ronment.
No visible it the facility
that discharges into the nearby dyer. Howev-
er, the of the not dosely
owing to time limltafSons and re-"
sumption of rainfall. Considering Ae extreme-
ly large of that were In
the rail hopper car cleaning and the lack
of visible pellet at the outfall,
the system at Company G
to be in controlling the of
the
of the lack of time, the powder
and the
could not observed during the site visit. In
addition, in
aw! employee of the environmental
by plastic pellets were-not dis-
cussed the visit:
4J J of Pellet
Officials §f Company F and Company G
abfe to provide insight Into several sources of
that the
were attempting to control.
Through die site visit observations, dls«s,siom
with officials, and i review of exist-
ing literature, of
at pellet production facilities.-
» eotiteylng sys-
Hie be ibr
routine maintenance, repairs, and
The sp-
also if the
systems are operating incorrectly or
are not completely
'tenanee tnd other routine
operations. • A signifietat source, of
is from
to raft -hopper , and
bulk tracks, particularly connect-
ing and disconnecting the and
the valves on the rail car and trucks.
» . or
bap, in particular, are easily .dam-
to flow
from the bag. Also,
packaging, such as bag
valves,
» Mall hopper car and bulk
cleaning operations, Waste .pellets
are to fall the and
become entrained in wtstewater, Oace
on the ground, the pellets may flow
with fte the
system, or the. may be
washed away by storm-water rundff
into outside of the facility. This
is at
lacking a containment system is
to pellets.
« Jack of a system.
Uncontrolled waste-water and storm-
water runoff will to the loss of
the environment.
• Failure of the
during heavy rainfall. Containment
not be to oper-
ate correctly during periods of moder-
ate to heavy rainfall. Company P was
in the of this r&-
lease mechanism.
• Infrequent or Inadequate housekeep-
ing. Spilled or that are
not quickly recovered through'
housekeeping practices may be lost to
the environment. Loose
be tracked.into every of a facility
via forkllfts and employee's and
clothing.
52
Pcllett in the Aquatic JBnvuponment: Sources and Recommendations
-------
• Unsealed or unsecured rail hopper
car valves. These -valves may be
improperly or inadequately sealed,
thereby allowing loss of pellets through
seepage through a small opening or by
enabling vandals to open the valve.
Pellets also may spUl from valves and
connection hoses that are not complete-
ly emptied before a rail hopper car or
a bulk truck is moved.
* Lade of employee awareness. Em-
ployees may not be properly educated
in regard to the hazards posed" by
pellets in the aquatic environment,
Observations at the two exemplary facilities
visited during this study indicate that effective
pellet containment measures can "be developed
and implemented at pellet production facilities,
The number of pellet production facilities in
the U.S. that have installed such containment
.measures is not known.
break down these bulk shipments into smaller
containers such as bags and gaylords. These
smaller containers are subsequently carried by
transporters to other contract packagers or
processors. In the following discussion, the
term packagers refers to. those facilities that
only repackage or store pellets (Le., contract
packagers), and does not refer to packaging
operations of pellet producers,
Each time pellets are moved, whether within a
facility or between separate facilities, the
potential exists for a pellet spill and subsequent
release into the environment. The type of
packaging may also affect the potential for a
pellet spill. Pellet transport and packaging
methods are discussed to the following sec-
tions. A flow diagram is again presented in
Figure 6(b).
The numbers of transporters and contract
packagers operating in the U.S. are not
known.
43 PELLET TRANSPORTERS/
CONTRACT PACKAGERS
4.3.1 Equipment and Operations
f.
the pellet transporters and contract packagers
are. the mechanisms by which plastic pellets
move from the producer to the processor. The
pellet transporters carry bulk shipments (ks rail
hopper cars or bulk trucks) of pellets from the
producer to the contract packagers and proces-
sors, and carry repackaged shipments (in bags
or gaylords) from the contract packagers to the
processors. The major methods of transport-
ing pellets include cargo and containerized
ships, rail hopper cars, and bulk or freight
trucks. Cargo ships are being replaced in-
creasingly by containerised ships as the pre-
ferred vessels for overseas pellet shipments.
The contract packagers,'or, simply, packagers,
receive from producers bulk shipments of
pellets in rail hopper cars and bulk tracks, and
Equipment and operations at pellet transporters
and packagers involve moving and repackaging
large volumes of pellets, such as in rail hopper
cars, and small volumes, such .as in bags and
gaylords. Some producers ship pellets by rail
hopper car or bulk truck directly to the proces-
sors that use large volumes of pellets. Howev-
er, pellets are often repackaged into smaller
containers for shipment to processors mat use
small volumes of pellets.
Packaging ,'
Pellet producers may ship pellets either in bulk
shipments, {i.e., rail hopper cars or bulk
trucks) or in smaller packages. Frequently,
bulk shipments are sent to contract packagers,
where pellets are packaged into Smaller1 con-
Pbstic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment; Sources and ReeommendaJioM
-------
-------
From Producer/Extruder
Pallet Movement
Empty Baiter, Bulk True* or
Waste Packaging Movement
Figure S. [Repeatedl Pellet Flow through Plastics Industry Sectors.
fb| Pellet Transportars/Paekagers,
tainers, such as bags, -gaylords, or cardboard
drums, for storage and shipment by freight
truck. Hie capacities of bags and gaylords
(i.e., 50 and 1000 Ib, respectively) are limited,
and mechanical conveyors (i.e., forldifts) are
needed at the offloading point. The extrq
handling involved in filling, handling, and
emptying smaller containers makes Ms
method of shipping prone to accidental spills at
the plants and in transit.
Several different types of bags are used for
shipping p,el!ets, and each bag type has advao-
and disadvantages (Table 9), The most
commonly used bag material is paper, which
has the advantage that it can be broken easily
for quick emptying by the processor, but has
the disadvantage that it can be easily broken or
torn during shipment and storage. Bags-are
also made of PE or waves PP. Bag openings
are either open-moathed or equipped with a
valve that is incorporated into the bag, Vaived
bags are filled by placing the valve over filling
tubes and the _ pellets into fee bap
directly from the storage silos, a process that
is very quick and inexpensive. These bags are
designed to be self-sealing; once a bag is filled
fall, the mass of pellets inside the bag
the bag valve shut. The advantage of valved,
self-sealing is that filling and sealing are
completed at one machine, eliminating the
need for additional equipment to the bag;
however, the disadvantage to valved bags is
that the valves often leak. Sew-close bags and
heat-sealed bags require additional handling
and equipment to seal the opening.
Bags typically are stacked onto a wooden
pallet' covered with a cardboard |ray to catch
pellets that leak from valves or punctured
bigs. When all of Che bags have
on the pallet, the entire pallet, and the bags are
wrapped in plastic to prevent the from
shifting during shipment and to retain any
54
Plastic PeUeti in the Aquatic Environment* Sourcea'and Recommendations
-------
Tabls 9. Comparisons of Most Commonly Used Pellet Bags.
Bag Material
*»
Polypropylene woven
Polypropylene woven
Paper (4-ply paper, l-ply
polyethylene liner)
Polyethylene form-fill and
seal (FF and S)
Opening
Open
mouth
Valve
Valve
Open
mouth
Sealing
Method
'Sewn
Self-sealed
Self-sealed
Heat-sealed
Puncture
• Ranking"
1
1
2
3
' Retention
Ranking
1
2
2
1
Cost per bag
($)
0,2? to 0,32
0.45 to 0.55 '
0.35 'to 0.40
0.25 to 0.30
"Ability to nrat puocnuing. I; GiMlctt, 3;
* Ability to retain pellets with minima] leas wktsQ bsg is not broken. 1: Greatest, 2: Lea*!,
Source; United DC; Mr. Merc Levine (Pwidenl), penona] connniinkujon, 30 July 1991, Houswa, TX.
f.
fr
k .
fe
pellets that leak from valves or bag punctures.
The wrapped pallets are moved by using a
forklift to storage areas or onto freight trucks,
Cardboard gaylords are lined with a large
plastic bag to contain the pellets. Gaylords
usually are set on a wooden pallet to be moved
via forklift. The gaylords typically are filled
by conveyor and sealed.
Bag« and gaylords are moved to storage areas
and to shipping vehicles (i.e., freight trucks)
by using forWifts or other similar .equipment.
Depending on the spfll maintenance protocols-
at-a facility, punctured bigs or gaylords may
be repaired or the pellets may be repackaged
into a new container. Spilled pellets may be
recovered and recycled, or unusable pellets
may he disposed into the municipal waste
system.
Shipping
For nearly 20 years, rail hopper cars have
been available for bulk pellet transport. Rail
hopper cars have a 100-ton capacity, or ap-
proximately 4.4 billion pellets per hopper car.
A rail hopper car can have either a single tank
or be conjpartmented into two or more tanks.
On top of the cars are ports that couple with a
conveyor system for pellet loading, and on the
bottom are ports that couple with conveyors
for rapid flow of pellets during unloading to
bulk storage facilities. Each port has a rotat-
able tube valve that controls the pellet flow
rate by increasing or decreasing the opening of
the discharge slot. Each top and bottom port
is equipped with "a cap that must be secured
ewer the port whenever the rail hopper car Is
not being loaded or unloaded. If these caps
are not secured or if there is vandalism of the
caps, spillage can result (Figure 13).
There are two kinds of truck! used to transport
pellets; bulk trucks and freight trucks. Bulk
trucks" are used to tensport large volumes of
pellets where rail service is unavailable. The
design and operating features of bulk trucks
are sinular to .those of rail hopper cars, and all
are loaded and unloaded similarly. -Bulk
trucks have a 50-ton -capacity or approximately
2 billion pel!ets (22,000 pellets per pound) per
truck.
Freight trucks and cargo/containerized ships
transport bag- and gaylord-packaged pellets.
Pellets may also be transported aboard ship in
Plastic Pellets in (-he Aquatic Environment: Sources and Reeamineadatiotig
55
£
-------
LA
0%
8
J7
I
Figure 13. Pellet SpiU Caused by Vandalism to Rail Hoppe? Car Valves.
(Photograph by John H. Williams, The Morning Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA)
-------
bulk shipments. Prate (1987) has reported
that pellets have been -used as ball bearings on
the declcs of ships to the movement of
cargo, and pellets would likely enter water-
ways as a result of this practice. they
completely enclose bulk and pellet
shipments, contain spills, and prevent'
leakage to the environment, sea containers are
increasingly becoming the preferred method of
shipping pellets.
The costs of shipping-by ocean-going vessels
are relatively low as compared to air freight
costs, thereby making the former method
attractive for shipping pellets overseas. Ac-
cording to EPA (1990a), the world fleet of
containerized ships had grown from SOS fiilly
containerized and 597 partially container-
ized ships IE 1976 (<5% of the world fleet),
to 1097 and-1720 ships, respectively, in 1988
(12% of the world fleet). Therefore, with the
use of containerized ships increasing, pellets
are more likely to be transported by "using
these vessels than by using cargo ships filled
with bulk shipments of pellets.
is the mktag of polymer- pellets (or
powders) with additives by using either a
continuous-blending process or blending in
batches. Continuous-blending processes re-
quire the coordinated, steady input, of each
ingredient into the 'blender, The pellet feed
be. either voluinetrieally or gravi-
from a . Con-
the by
free Ml into a unit.
Storage are used primarily by the large,
high-volume producers, packagers, or proces-
sors. Pellets are conveyed from the silos to
or processing areas through perma-
instrument-monitored conveying lines.
Warehouses are used typically by the low-
volume processors to store smaller containers;
Packages are mechanically (a
on a forklift) to the molding area,
deliveries may be in bags or cardboard
anchored on § pallet, in large'boxes, or to
large bulk bags. These units are likely to be
offloaded from trucks and handled with a
feridift.
433, Site Visit Observations
Two pellet transporters/contract packagers,.
Company B and Company C, were visited
during this study. Both companies were visit-
ed on February 4, 1,991.
Company B
Company B ships and packages many different
commodity, transitional, and engineering
resins in pelletized form. Photographs were
not permitted to be taken during this'Site visit
Company B receives on the average approxi-
mately 300 rail (or 54 mUJiott
pounds) of pellets annually. Officials
that approximately 99.75% .of the pellets
(I79,500,lb out of each 180,000-lb shipment)
'received by Company *B are repackaged and
shipped to.processors, and 0,25% of the pel-
lets are lost or recycled. The facility has
500,000 ft3 of available 'storage space.
Plastic are raM
cars in a area to the rear of
the facility. He are by
'pneumatic conveyor directly from the ral
hopper to the packaging aren. Before
offloading the pellets, a portable- screen Is
placed beneath the valve outlet of die .rail
hopper 'car. This screen' is used to capture
pellets that during coupling tad uncou-
pling of the rail ear's valve;
pellets fall the valve and the
veyer hose. The of
Plastic PeOcU in the Aquatic Environment: Source* and ReconnneadaikHii
57
-------
wlndowsereen-sized mounted on a 1- x
3-ft rectangular frame made of 2- x 4~m,
lumber. The screen can easily be handled and
moved by one person. Pellets captured by the
ire temporarily' placed in a specially
bin and are eventually sent -to a
reeyder.
Despite the use of the screened a large
number of toose were along the
siding {a short track connecting a railroad
directly with the premises of a business con-
cern) where the rail fadpper cars are unloaded;
the presence of pellets indicate
Imptopar use of the boxes. These
pellets had become'interspersed with the large
stones that formed the bed of the siding. Only
pellet spills had been up In this
area; not recovered. Drain-
age routes for the rail hopper car siding
were not observed and, therefore, the release
of pellets ftom this area could not Be assessed.
Two operations observed at
Company B._ The packaging operation
was the filling of valved paper bags. Paper
bags are manually placed over a spout and the
pellets are pneumatically transferred into the
bap. After fill tog, of •• the pass
through a
-------
»K
Company B that they occasionally re-
ceive information processors regarding
package sad pellet loss during transit.
Most of the Information relates to exported
shipments, and less information is received in
regard to domestic shipments. Approximately
99% of all international shipments are In paper
valve bags, which are inspected for damage by
independent inspectors during cargo vessel
onloading. In some cases, the inspectors
photograph damaged shipments and notify
Company B of pellet loss. Company B is not
notified of pellet spillage or loss during 'Off-
loading at the receiving port. However, most
large shipments are fa containerized
cargo vessels where pellet spillage during
shipment would be-minimal,
Pellets that escape onto the parking lot and
Into the storm-water drain- are removed by
set of -screens,. one and one
fine, installed just inside the storm drains.
The fine screen is the as that in the
screens used under the loading docks and tail
hopper car outlets. A small number of pellets
were on the screens over the observed
storm drains, Otter storm drains were sub-
merged owing to the heavy ralas and flooding
and, consequently, only a few drains were
during the visit. 'The frequency with
which these storm-drain screens were
was not noted during the visit.
Throughout the visit, employees were observed
swelling and collecting pellets, particu-
larly in the packaging area. In Addition to
hand-sweeping, large street-type cleaners
routinely sweep the aisles'and, receiving, areas.
To monitor the of routine malnte-
procedures at the facility, Company B
de¥doped in environmental inspection check
list (Figure 14). The frequency of' these in-
spections was not noted during the site visit.
Company B officials estimated that the annual
pellet is 10,000 to Ib during
packaging and 2000 to 10,000 Ib during ship-
ping and warehousing. Spilled pellets are
collected in specially labeled containers and
are recycled. Company B officials aware
of the SPI efforts to educate 'the industry
the problems associated with pellet releases,
and recommended that the SPI information be
made available in bilingual form.
The company's quality office is in
the process of developing written protocols for
routine maintenance and spill cleanup; these
protocols will be written in English and Span-
ish. Dufiig training, the plans to
discuss economic and environmental reasons
for strict adherence to quality confrol and
maintenance protocols.
Company C
Company C receives and balk ship-
of many different pellet types. A few
photographs token during the visit are present-
ed below.
Company C Is located in one section of a large
industrial park includes at one other
pellet packager/transporter. The company
receives and packages bulk shipments of many
different pellet types. Company C officials
that It and ships approjumatdy
65 million of pellets ,per month,', and
between a minimum of 5000 to 10,000 Ib and
a maximum of 20,000 Ib of spMled 'pellets are
recycled each month. The company also
plastic powders .that are shipped in
supersacks (S x -4 x 4 ft),
Company C receives bulk shipments of pellets
in rail hopper that'offload at a railroad
sldtog behind the facility. TUs railroad siding
is paved with large and t stem-water
ditch and dram are alongside fhe'sidtag
area. Pellets are transferred pneumatically
from the rail hopper into silos
located in the packaging of the facility.
The rafl hopper car valves are not
after the care are emptied. No screens or
other containment apparatuses are during
Pelted in the Aquatic Environment: Source* and ftaconuneadktioni
59
P
I
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Inspected by: - .
Date: ' '
Time: .. -i—
YES NO
(1) Are all catch troys .properly placed under each shipping boy? [_J j|
!f no: How many were Improperly placed? _
How many were missing? —
(2) Are bins preparSy placed under hopper cars being unloaded? [__] L_]
If no: How many ware Improperly placed? _
How mqny were missing?
(3) Are the screens over the drains clear of sxeess debris which Q] Q
could Inhibit water How?
(4) Is the roof clear of product? • CH CH
If not Estimate' amount of product on roof. Iba.
(5) Are trackt free of pelfets and/or powder?
tf no: Identify location of any problem(8).
a a
(@) Ar® fences and drainage ditches free of plastic? [~]
If not Identify location of any probiem(s). •
(7) IB there any evidence of piastlc being dumped into trash ["] C~~j
compactor?
(8) Is ail transfer equipment capable of keeping product frem [ J
^jfl ling/being rafeased Into the environment?
If no: Identify equipment which requires attention.
(9) Are log books being maintained at each production Ihne wfth
Information about spllle, actions taken, recommendations,, etc.?
(10) Were any other potential problem areas fdentiffed during r~j r~J
Mie Inspection?
\f yet: List specific problem areas.
Commenta
Figure 14. Company B Environmental Inspection Checklist.
Plastic Pelkti in the Aquatic Environment: Soyrees and Recommendation*
-------
Figure 15, Storm-Water In at Company C,
the coupling and uncoupling of the pneumatic
Although company officials that
are to
in Ae siding many
the throughout the siding" area
and in the stonn-waier ditch (Figure 15).
Pellets are by storm' water through the
and into § storm-water
storm water torn Compsny C as well
as from several other in the Indus-
trial park,
are from
the to the or packaging-
machines. At the bagging machine, the
bag valve Is manually a spout, and
the are blown into the The bag
valve the big is .the
and J conveyor, and the
inside the bag press against the valve end and
seal the
The are by belt
onto a wooden pallet with a card-
board tray, The is to
that from
valves or bag punctures. Company C officials
that the cardboard trap on pallets are
only but not entirely, effective,.
Once the pallet is loaded with the
is wrapped with plastic and via forklifi,
to i
on the the
tagging (Figure 16), Residual
also were to be spilling from the spout
before and a bag was secured. After the
bag was on the
to be
valves. Similar, but not as were
of pellets found beneaA other
of the and tie conveyer. No
were la tills
After packaging, of are by
using a forkJtft into the warehouse where they
are pellets,'
spills, and and
He "ware-
Several spills were the result of
valves. Spills md/or to be
a common occurrence Arougfaout the .ware-
Pelett in the Aquatic Environment: Seuree* tad
61
-------
Figure 16, Loose Pellets beneath a lagging Machine at Company C.
Figure 17. Pellets Spilled at a Company G Loading Dock.
house and' loose pellets were obvious in every
aisle. Spills in storage ace swept up and
disposed in reeycliog bins.
Palleted bags of pellets are transferred via
forklifts onto truck trailers at the loading dock.
Pellets in torn or broken are
at the dock before they are loaded on to the
truck. Large numbers of pellets were ob-
62
Plastic PcOds in the AqirtSie Environment: Source* and Recominendttiatts
-------
served In the loading dock (Figure 17),
no pellet containment- were
installed at tihe loading docks or over the
parking lot storm -drains, pellets spilled at or
near the doda can.&ll onto the outside pave-
ment. These would .be carried by storm
to feet away
•in the of the parking lot (Figure 18).
He stonn drains in the railroad -siding
and. In the facility parking lot empty into a
storm-water interceptor adjacent to the indus-
' trial park where Company C is located (Fig-
19 and 20); Because several inches of
rain had fallen (and continued to Ml) on the
day of the visit, the storm-water interceptor
contained a very large number- of pellets. In
some areas of the storm-water interceptor, the
Figure 18. Pellets in Storm Water outside
a Company C Loading Dock.
pellets formed a across fce surface and
were the
the (Figures 21 and 22), Com-
pany C is not the only pellet-handling facility
in the industrial jpark, it is highly unlikely that
all of the pellets in the from
Company C. Once to the interceptor, the
pellets would Be transported downstream and
Into nearby waterways.
Broom-sweeping was observed throughout the
facility. Company C officials stated that the
entire facility is broom-swept and vacuumed at
least once daily, and broom-swept throughout
the day as needed,. During training,
are instructed to clean -up all spills within a
few hours; on a typical workday, this would
involve broom-sweeping recyclable pellets two
or three times. The parking lot and loading
dock are swept once weddy and large
spills are yp as as
Pellets, collected during routine maintenance
.and spill 'cleanups are recycled.
During, the the site visit,
Company C officials • pellet-
release points, These were (I) the rail
hopper- cars, particularly when a load of pellets
is quality*controL- Inspected .before -offloading
'(valves are briefly to collect a subsam-
ple of.'the load);..-(2) the in Ae
siding are
into' the municipal drainage system; and (3) the
.loading1 docks, .where pellets are washed into
the parking lot drains1.
Company'C .officials believed that more pellets
are los't-from bag' than from acciden-
tal spills or leaking -bag valves, all
bag valves tend to leak regardless of the bag
material. Other than general housekeeping
(e.g., sweeping), no special measures have
been instituted at Company C to mMmize
pellet release into the environment However,
Company C is installing pellet containment
systems at a new facility.
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
63
-------
Figure 1 §. Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C.
Figure 20. Pellet Accumulation (and Other Aquatic DebHs)
in Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C.
Company C officials felt that their employees
are not well-informed In regard to environmen-
tal concerns associated with plastic pellets,
although the SPI literature has been discussed
at monthly Company C meetings. The offi-
cials recognized that employee awareness of
the environmental impact of pellets is directly
related to the investment that management is
willing to make in employee education. •
64
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
-------
I
'
K
i-
FSgure 21. Pellet Accumu!ation in Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C.
Figure 22. Pellets along High-Water Line in Storm-Water Interceptor near Company C.
I
Pkstic P«sU,et« in the Aqwiic Environmeitt; Sourrass &nd'Recomm«idAion«
65
-------
43 3 of Pellet from
Transporters/Contract
Through the site visit observations, 'discussions
with industry officials, and a of
tag literature, several sources of pellet release
were identified at pellet
These
* Incompletely or leaking
bag Calves. Valved do ~not seal
as well as that are or heat-
sealed. Pellets leaking from
valves at the and In
the areas,
* Improper bag storage practices.
of may be too
high, on
and rupture of lower bags. Also, the
exterior plastic of pallets is
only and Is inef-
fective once the pallet is broteu open
or the .have shifted. Pallets may
be a tray,
allowing loose pellets to fall to the
ground.
* Lack of employee Offi-
cials at both facilities that the
SPI educational materials had been
but that
generally unaware of the environmen-
tal hazards posed by pellets.
• « training of forklift
tors. The of packaging damage
dial was most frequently cited by the
was " bf - forklift
tines.
• Infrequent routine maintenance.
Pellet Aroughout the
facilities. Typically, only
broom sweeping "was used to recover
pellets, and vacuuming infre-
quently.
one to by elotbiag, shoes,
forMifts, and vehicles,
^ Improperly or inadequately or
mil hopper car mires.
Spills occur when the hopper Is
to the open, position before
coupling to "the
Also, port are frequently not
closed or after the car is emp-
tied, allowing
to the rtl right-of-way.
Finally, rail car
ports (top and bottom) be, opened
by "allowing to
the ground.
Lack of a or
Transfer
of pellets from rail hopper to
inside areas. If there a no screening
in over at
lots, etc., or the'
ace not 'routinely,
ire carried by storm-water
runoff into the
or natural drainage areas. Recent
revisions to the Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) prohibit the
of in storao-watet run-
off.
Improper handing of cargo it
and ship. Spilled
be into the
of'being from
and ship decks,
Gterfllllng of If the
delivery rate of the conveying
the rate at which, the reeefrfa-
eie can receive the will
result.
Displacement of the conveyor system
ports. Incomplete be-
conveying and shipping
vehicles are known to result in pellet
spills. ,
Flutio Pelleti in the Aquatic Environment: Source* and Reeommeixlfttioni
-------
Observations at the two companies Indicate
that inexpensive conteoJ measures can be de-
veloped and quickly implemented at pellet
transporter/contract packagers.
4.4
The terms converter and processor are in
this Section to refer to the production of plas-
tic goods from pellets and granules. After
conversion of the polymer pellets to commer-
cial and Industrial products, the potential for
spills and entry into the environment Is elimi-
nated. However, ancillary handling of the
pellets Is required prior to molding.
Pellet processors mold the pellets into fabricat-
ed user products. More than 12,000 pellet
processors were operating In the United States
in 1988, and employed a work force of ap-
proximately 580,000 workers Nationwide
(U.S. Bureau of the Census, 19S8; EPA,
1990s). According to-SPI, this accounting is
dependent upon the definition of processor
used daring the census (Mr, Ronald Bruner„
SPI, personal communication, January 1992).
4.4,1 Equipment and Operations
At the processors [Figure 6(c)J, pellets are fed
into molding or conversion where the
pellets are melted and formed into user prod-
ucts. Manual addition of pellets to a feed
hopper on a molding unit frequently is per-
formed at small conversion operations. How-
ever, as the .size of the converter output (and
to, s
3 i. »
|j> O «•
? 15 •
*5 3 ™
11="
S.&.
Package
Dispo'sai
From Producer/Extruder or Transporter/Packager |
Rait Hopper Cars
Pneumatic
Transfer
Bags/Qaylords
Storage Sitos
Bulk Trucks
Manual Transfer
Bag Processing
Operations
Pneumatic
Transfer
Silos
Blenders
Product Fabrication
Pellet Movement
Empty Raltcar, BulkTaickor
Waste PaiAaging Movement
Figure 6-. [Repeated] Pellet Flow through Plastics Industry Sectors.
fcl Pelfet Processors.
Plastic Peflets in the Aquatic Environment: Soarces and Recotnroeatktion*
-------
the of pellets mod) the use
of automated increases.
Pellets ate manually, mechanically, or pneu-
matically conveyed from storage silos or bags
and ftylords Into the blender/converter, hop-
per. Manual loading of pellets may be into a
bag, drum, or box hopper, from which1 the
pellets are -mechanically or pneumatically
conveyed to the next operation to the feed
sequence (I.e.,, screening, blending, or drying),
Pellet spills may occur during any of the man-
ual and mechanical transfers to downstream
equipment - Spills are likely la a pneumat-
ic'system the is
and the fill/flow are monitored and con-
trolled. After the feed has entered a hopper on
the conversion unit, there is little potential for
a spill during operation. There is
possibility for a spill, however, when fee
product produced in the conversion unit is
and the hopper is emptied manually.
Two primary processes are performed by
conversion equipment The initial process is
to fuse and consolidate1 the feed pellets. Ine
second process is to shape and cool the prod-
uct. These functions are performed by
several different types of equipment, and the
pellet-use rate may be controlled or demand-
based. Most of the conversion equipment
utilizes pellets fed from i hopper.
•.
Figure 23. Primary Bulk-Storage Hoppers (Silos) at Company A.
Pkst» PtBeti in the Aquitic Environment; Source* and ReeontmenctttloB*
-------
4.4.2 Site Visit Observations
Three pellet processors, Company A, Compa-
ny D, and Company E, were visited during
this study. Company A' was visited on August
22, 1990, and Company D and Company E
were visited on February 4, 1991.
Company'A
For several years, Company A has produced
food-grade plastic containers made from
HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PS pellets, and pellets
containing pigmentation [e.g., titanium oxide
(TiOj)]. Company, A granted permission to-
photograph all phases and areas of their facili-
ty.
At Company A, bulk pellet shipments are
pneumatically transferred from bulk trucks to.
the facility's primary storage hoppers or silos
(Figure 23). Each hopper holds approximately
60,000 Ib of plastic pellets • or granules. Com-
pany A officials stated that the pellets: com-
monly escape into the. environment during
connection and disconnection at the pneumatic
transfer tube (Figure 24), and pellets also
occasionally- from the hopper air vent
when the hopper h accidentally overfilled.
Pellets were seen, beneath and in the vicinity of
the hoppers (Figure 25).
The pellets are then pneumatically- transferred
, through the conveying system ,ftom the storage
hoppers into, a. small room adjacent to .the pro-
cessing room. Connections.-to the" various
internal operations, - including internal -storage
hoppers, are manually made in- this", small
room. At the internal storage hoppers, pellets
Figure '24. A Pneumatic Transfer Tube Used To Transfer Plastic Pellets
from Bulk Trucks to Bulk-Storage Hoppers at Company A.
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatki Enwonmept: Sources and Recommendations
-------
Figure 25. Pellets on the- Ground In the Area of
the Bulk-Storage Hoppers at Company A.
are removed manually through a slide valve on
the bottom of the hoppers. Company A offi-
cials noted that pellet spillage has been ob-
served, during connection changes, and pellets
were seen .on the floor and accumulated in the
fence _guard -surrounding the Interior
hoppers (Figure 26),
Pellets are added to the molding machines
either manually, pneumatically, or by a combi-
nation of methods. 'Company A officials
stated that there is little likelihood of pellet
leakage in the pneumatic delivery system once
the pellets are inside the plant, except in the
of equipment malfunctions. Plastic scrap
produced (luring the injection molding process
was observed on -top of several molding ma-
chines (Figures 27), and pellets also were
observed on top of one manually loaded ma-
chine.
Accumulations of pellets were observed in
several expansion joints in the concrete floor
of the shipping .area and in other areas of the
plant (Figure 28). Pellets also were- in
the expansion joints in the printing shop, even
though ao pellets are handled in this area,
Company A officials explained that pellets
cling to forUIft tires, workers* clothing and
shoes, etc., and are transported throughout all
interior and exterior of the facility. The
pellets are then swept up during routine main-
tenance and are 'disposed of in the facility's
dumpster.
Because the facility parking lot slopes toward
the building, water historically leaked into the
shipping area during rainfall. To correct this
problem,, a catchment basin was installed near-
the overhead exterior doors of the shipping
area to intercept the storm-water runoff from
the parking lot before it can flow into the,
facility (Figure 29). The catchment
70
Pkstic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment; Sourea and RecoijunendatioMi
-------
Figure 26. Peltate Caught Jn Fence Guard and on the Floor
Beneath the Internal Storage Hoppers at Company A.
Figure 27. Plastic Pellets and Scrap on Top of an Injection Molding Machine
at Company A.
Plastic PdLkts in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and RecommendaJionj
71
-------
Figure 28, Pellets Accumulated In an Expansion. Joint In the Company A Printing Shop.
72
Figure 29. Pellets Accumulated In the Catchment Basin
yndar the Overhead Doors at Company A.
Plastic PeUeti in the Aquitk Environment; Sources and Reeommendttiaiw
-------
Figure 30, Company A Driveway Where All Storm Water
. Is Transported to the City Street.
serve as collection points for pellets released in
the transfer area and in other exterior areas of
the facility. During the site visit, a number of
pellets were found In this catchment basin, A1S
runoff from the facility, including runoff from
the parking lot, catchment basins, and roofj
flows down the driveway and into the street
(Figure 30). Once in the street, the runoff
flows along the curb to a storm-water intercep-
tor, where it enters a municipal storm-sewer
system.
Until recently, Company A officials were
unaware of the hazard's to aquatic life posed by
plastic pellets floating on the surface of the
ocean, and to their knowledge, employees
were not aware of the hazards. These officials
believed that employees would be generally
apathetic toward the pellet issue. However,
Company A officials also believed that the
pellets used at their ftcility would not float in
water. They tested this theory by placing
handfuls of LDPE, HDPE, PS, and polyethyl-
ene-base TiO2 pellets into a small container of
tap water. Only the LDPE and HDPE pellets
floated, the PS pellets floated initially and sank
after gentle agitation, and the TiOa pell* sank
immediately. Similar results were found sub-
sequently when the same pellet types were
added to saline water (at room temperature and
30-32 ppt salinity).
Because food-grade containers are produced at
Company A, the, cleanliness of the physical
plant is closely monitored. Company A offi-
cials frequently stated that the facility is rou-
tinely swept clean of pellets, both inside and
outside, and that the pellets are discarded into
an onsite dumpster. The dumpster contents
are collected by a commercial waste hauler
and is,swbsequendy disposed into the municipal
waste stream.
Pkstie Pclkts in the Aquatic Environment: Sources sad Recommendation.*
73
-------
Company D
For over 50 years, Company D has produced
specially 'molded products for a diverse clien-
tele. Most of the pellets used by Company D
are engineering (or performance) resins that
have a limited range of uses and narrowly
defined applications; these pellets are the most
expensive pellets available. Company D pro-
duction runs are limited in size and small
volumes or" any one particular pellet type are
used. The company has the capability to
extrude small amounts of special blends of
pellets. As much as possible, the company,
•purchases precoiored pellets, but may color
pellets as needed.
The company purchases pellets in small .quanti-
ties. . These pellets typically are shipped by
truck in bags or gaylords and are subsequently
stored in the receiving area until used. The
tracks are offloaded at the loading docks; no
materials are handled outside the loading
docks. A storm-water drain was located next
to, me building and at the bottom of dock
incline; a few pellets were seen near the drain
and along the dock wall. No pellet-containr
ment devices were seen in die loading dock
area.
Company D had recently expanded their ship-
ping and receiving 'area to accommodate a
growth in business. Pallets of pellets
and gaylords were stored in one area, and
packaged products were stored in another, area,
Loose pellets could be seen beneath the pallets
and, occasionally, scattered on the floor.
In general, pellets are manually-loaded into the
molding equipment, but Company D can load
the pellets directly from gaylords, if necessary.
Employees are encouraged to avoid spills,
primarily because the pellets are expensive and
spilled pellets are not recycled. Scattered
pellets were observed on the floor beneath and
around the molding equipment.
A few pellets were present, in the cooling-
water tanks adjacent to the molding machines;
molded- parts are placed in these to be
cooled before inspection and- packaging. The
cooling, water is disposed of into me facility
drains, which in tiirn feed into the municipal
sewer system. Officials stated mat pellets
could enter this cooling water only through
accidental spills during manual machine load-
ing. .
Maintenance protocols require that the work
areas, including the areas around fee molding
machines, be cleaned, at the end of each shift.
The floors are swept, vacuumed, and mopped
every other day. Spilled pellets typically are
broom-swept and disposed into a refuse con-
tainer. No effort is made to recycle or reclaim
materials, and waste pellets are disposed of
into the municipal waste stream. Routine
maintenance and spill-cleanup protocols,appear
to be the primary methods for controlling
pellet releases into the environment
Company D officials stated that the employees
are trained to minimize spills primarily for
economic reasons (the pellets are expensive) as
opposed to environmental reasons. The offi-
cials were aware of the SPI educational efforts,
but the information was not disseminated or
otherwise posted in the facility for the workers
to read. Workers had not been briefed or
otherwise trained with regard to pellet-related
environmental concerns.
Company E
Company E is an injection molder that manu-
factures specialty parts for industrial applica-
tions; no consumer items are manufactured.
These specialty parts'are made of engineering
resins, such as polycarbonate and nylon. The
company has resin-handling approval from the
Underwriters Laboratories (UL); this approval
is used as a measure o£'quality assurance and
is issued after successful spot inspections by
UL.
74
Piastb Pellcti in the Aquatic Environment; Sources-and Recommendations
-------
Company E receives- pellets by track, and the
pellets typically are packaged In either pappr
or gaylords. Company E officials
that pellet often arrives punctured or
torn; the receiving "clerk records the condition
of the pellets,, and Company E may ask for
compensation from the shipper or packager If
the damages are extensive. Scattered pellets
were observed to and around the docks
and in the facility parking lot. 'A storm
was located at the bottom of the inclined drive-
way at the docks. Because rainfall was heavy
during the visit, there was a heavy flow of
water through the drain and into a storm-water
ditch i few feet from the warehouse. Pellets
could be In AIs storm-water ditch.
Small quantities of a wide variety of pellets are
at the facility; however, are no
at tihe facility. All pellet packag-
es • are stored above floor level; the
are stacked "both manually and via fbrjdift,
depending on the size of 'the shipment and the
storage location. Loose pellets were
throughout the storage or warehousing "
primarily' in where routine sweepiig
would not reach them. Specifically, pellets
were- under loaded pallets and pallet
racks, between storage "racks, awl between
stacks.of bags. Very few pellets were-seen to
"the working areas of the warehouse, and an
employee was broom-sweeping a small
pellet spill,
The injection molding are
manually, tad of were
found around" and underneath the maiden.
Company E officials that all spiled
is of in a dumpster and is
not recycled because spilled pellets may be
contaminated with a mixture of grease, oil,
absorbent materials, dust* etc., as well as oilier
pdletized resias. The equipment k completely
and vacuumed produc-
tion run to
products.
The facility generally was dean, and there
were no accumulated plastic-scrap piles. A
few pellets visible in cracks in the con-
crete floor and in areas inaccessible to routine
maintenance equipment. Company E-officials
believe that good housekeeping practices are
the best way- to control pellet loss.
No -as
over or devices toe
loading docks, are to place at. the facility. Tie
company to follow effective
maintenance protocols, as evidenced by" the
presence of very- small numbers of pellet*
throughout 'the facility". The employee1 in
charge of shipping and receiving seemed 'eoa-
seientious about, sweeping up spilled pdlets
and taking every precaution to
spilled do not a hazard.
Company E officials were aware of the prob-
lems that plastic pellets pose to the environ-
ment, and recognized that they may be eonttib-
utmg to the problems, were not dis-
cussed regarding employee education .about the
environmental hazards of plastic pellets.
4,4 3
Sources of Pellet Releases
from
During routine at pellet processors,
are likely to be released prior to
the actual conveniop (molding) process.
Through the site visit observations, discussions
with industry officials, and a review of the
existing literature, several pellet release path-
ways were identified at pellet processing facili-
ties. These sources included
» Uncontrolled manual pellet handling.
Spills occur the
of into equipment, or
during recoanection of pneumatic
to die molding machines. Pellet spills
while refitting molding
Plastic PcSkts In the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
75
-------
when 'changing products to be molded
and during ithe addition of coloring
pellets (I.e., TIG, pellets) to the poly-
mer pellets.
Improper unloading and warehous-
ing procedures. Pellet packaging Is
not carefully off-
loading or Is damaged during offload-
ing, and pdlets may be spilled onto the
ground and throughout the receiving
area. Improperly warehoused piekag-
es (e.g., stacked haphazardly or too
high, punctured while .moving to stor-
age) "may fell and result in pellet spills.
Inadequate housekeeping. Spilled
pellets that are not quickly recovered
are tracked throughout a 'facility and
• mSy be released into the environment.
Lack of wastewater control. -Cooling
water from the molding machines is
discharged into municipal wastewater
systems; this water may contain pellets
that are spilled in the molding area,
Lack of control of storm-water run-
off. Pellets spilled at the loading dock
or transported into the parking lot are
carried by storm-water runoff into
storm sewers or into natural drainage
basins.
Disposal of waste pellets Into dump-
sters, Waste pellets may be lost to the
environment -through municipal land-
filling and other solid waste disposal
methods.
Observations at the facilities visited during this
study indicate that pellet control can
be developed and implemented at pellet pro-
cessing facilities. None, of the visited facilities
processed large volumes of pellets, and the
facilities did not produce consumer prod-
ucts. Sources of pellet loss and house-
keeping and operation procedures may be
different at larger-scale facilities than at these
smaller-scaled processors. However, the pellet
release points identified above should be appli-
cable to all processors.
4.S OF
TO1NTIFIEO SOURCES
The representativeness of the visited companies
as indicators of pellet release and containment
conditions industry-wide could not be deter-
mined,. The possibility that the visited compa-
nies represented best-case conditions is sug-
gested by the fact that the volun-
teered to participate in the study; companies
with significant pellet containment problems
would aot volunteer to a regulatory
agency regardless of of no regulato-
ry assessment or action. The fact that the two
visited producers. Companies F and G, recog-
nkact the uniqueness of their containment
systems and developed materials, highlighting
the systems, supports this possibility.
Despite the unknown representativeness, the
study was to identify several pellet
release points in sector. No was
male to rank the release points in order of
significance or-quantities released. Basically,
the pathways may be categorized into
eight general where deficiencies may
exist. These areas are
* Lack of communication between
Industry management. Not all com-
pany the
pellet problem and the need to control
pellet releases. Pellet spillage' faformt-
tion, as the condition of packages
and the receipt of rai hopper
cars, is shared between companies only
occasionally.
* Inadequate employee awareness and
training. Employees are generally
unaware of the hazards posed by pel-
lets and the employees' responsibility
for causing and controlling releases,
A major release, pathway is through
package damage" caused by improper
76
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment; Sources and Rewaaneadaiioni
-------
operation of forkllfts while moving
pallets. Cargo handlers may allow
pellets to fell into waterways because
they are unaware of'the hazards of
pellets, .'
Inadequate facilities. With the excep-
tion of the producers visited during
this study, companies have few or. no
cooling-, waste-, or storm-water con-
tainment systems in place, including
portable screens and facility wide
containment systems. Pellets may be
'entrained in these waters and are dis-
charged into municipal storm and
sanitary sewers or into.natural drainage
systems.
Careless routine operations. When-*.
ever pellets are handled there is the
potential .for pellet spillage. Manual
pellet handling is more likely to result
to spills than handling by" pneumatic
conveying " systems. However, if
pneumatic are not properly
maintained and closed, pellets may
leak through openings in the system.
Pellets "may be released during the
transfer of damaged, unrepaired pack-
Inadequate housekeeping practices.
If pellets are not quickly recovered
after they are spilled, they may be
dispersed and eventually released into
the environment. Pellets may be
transported throughout interior and
exterior of a facility via shoes
and clothing, vehicle tires, wind, and
waste- and storm-water runoff,
Easily-damaged or leaky packaging.
Paper and cardboard packaging are
easily during transport and
handling, aid, in Act, may be
to be easily broken
loading molding machines. However,
packaging is -a major source
of pellet loss to the environment. Is
addition, the valves to self-sealing bags
may not completely close, allowing
to leak from the opening.
* Improper shipping praetleet. If' a
rail hopper car valve or port is not
sealed or secured sufficiently, pellets
may leak onto the right-of-way or
vandals may easfly open the valves and
release large numbers of pellets; In
addition, pellets may be spilled onto
loading docks, ships' decks, and
holds, and be washed overboard into
waterways.
* Lade of recycling. Some companies
do not attempt to recycle spilled pellete
and, instead, dispose the pellets into
the municipal waste stream.
"He identified pellet pathways'can be
eliminated by implementing a few simple
control mechanisms. Several possible control
were identified on the site
visits conducted during this study, and recom-
mendations to the plastics' industry were devel-
oped. Recommendations for controlling pellet
releases, including the legal framework for
controlling the releases, are described in Sec-
tion 5.0,
Ptastje Pellets in the Aquatk Environment: Sources and
7?
-------
-------
5.0 CONTRO1WNG PELLET
n:
,,.
&
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is concerned about the presence of pellets in
the aquatic environment for several reasons:
(1) pellets are ubiquitous; (2) pellets have been
found in considerable quantities in coastal
•areas of the United States; and (3) laboratory
studies 'and field observations suggest that
ingested pellets may harm or kill aquatic wild-
life, including several "endangered or threat-
ened species. These issues were detailed in
Section 3.0 of this report,
Pdlets are released to the etwironmeht as a
result of plastics industry activities, and major
transport pathways to the environment were
highlighted during the site visits to several
industry companies (Section 4.0). During the
site visits, Company officials stated that during
normal operations, most of the released pellets
can be captured easily by existing pellet con-
tainment systems. However, under severe
weather conditions (heavy rainfall) many of the
pellets may escape even the best pellet contain-
ment systems. Unfortunately, once plastic
pellets are released into the environment they
cannot be easily recovered, therefore, the most
realistic mitigation measure available is the
prevention of discharges.
EPA believes that immediate Industry action is
needed to prevent pellet releases to the envi-
ronment Effective prevention of pellet releas-
es requires both the implementation of appro-
priate voluntary control measures as well as a
regulatory framework. Section 5.1 presents
recommendations -to the plastics industry for
preventing and controlling pellets releases to
the environment. The current regulatory
framework and steps beinf taken by'the indus-
try to control pellet releases are included in
Section 5.2,
5.1 RECOB4MEMDATIONS TO
PLASTICS INDUSTRY
The following recommendations for preventing
and controlling pellets releases to the environ-
ment were developed based on the site visit
observations (described in Section 4.0), knowl-
edge of plastics industry operations, a litera-
ture review, industry recommendations (SPI,
1991), and Department of Transportation
(DOT) Cargo Security Advisory Standards (49
CFR Part 101). Concurrent with mis study,
the Society of the Plastics Inducstry, Inc. (SJI)
has also developed recommendations for con-
trolling pellet releases; these recommendations
have been incorporated into tibe followkf
discussion. The specific recommendations are
organized according to eight general areas:
industry management; education and training;
equipment and facilities; routine operations;
maintenance and housekeeping; packaging;
shipping; and recycling and waste disposal.
Table 10 is a summary of the recommenda-
tions and indicates the sectors to which to each
recommendation applies.
5,1.1 Industry Management
Poor communication between industry manage-
ment and management of related industries
hampers the identification and elimination of
pellet release pathways. Despite the SPI ef-
' forts to educate the industry, some •company
managers did not understand the pellet prob-
lem' and 'the need to control pellet releases.
Information is rarely 'shared between compa-
nies in regard to pellet spillage, the condition
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources sad
-------
Table 10. Summary of Recommendations to the Pfasfics Industry
According to Industry Sector.
Recommendation
Prod
Tran/
Pack
PTM
Management
Adopt aad uaplemmt SPI's Pettet Raentlon Environmental Code*
Conduct self evaluations to identify problem areas.
Encourage Information sharing between companies.
Continuing developing educational materials.
/
y
y
y
/
/
/
/
/
S
/
/
Education and Training
Educate key officials and company managers regarding the fate and
effects sitd the economic disadvantages of pellet loss.
Educate company employees regarding enviroBmestel hazards and
employes responsibility for corrective actions.
Train pellet handlers to operate equipment, particularly fork lifts, in a
roaaoer that minimizes the potential for pallet loss.
Train longshoremen and other cargo handlers regarding proper pellet
•handling procedures,
/
/
/
/
s
s
s
J
y
/
Equipment and Facilities
Install a containment system to capture storm water runoff.
Improve dry cleanup procedures.
InstsJi connecting hoses equipped with valves that will dose
automatically when Che connection u broken.
Direct She water flow from fail hopper cars and bulk trucks through &
screen to .capture (he pellets rather than spill Leg them onto the ground.
Seal expansion joints in concrete floors with a flexible material.
Install alarm* in the pellet conveyisg system.
Pave all pellet handling areas, including loading docks and rail sidings.
Place screening is storm drains.
Elaw control devices' where they eaa bs serwced without losjng pellets.
Equip bag-handling stations with vacuum hoses to facilitate spill cleanup.
Use tarps or containment devices to collect pellets as they am spilled.
Issiall grating at doorways for wiping feet.
y
/
/
/
/
/
/ •
/
/ ,
/
/
/
/
s
/
y
^
/
/
/
/
^
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
80
PUatw Pellets in the Aqualie Enyironmeitt: Sources and Recommendations
-------
Tsbfe 10. Summary of Recommendations to the Plastics Industry
According to industry Sector, (continued)
Recommendation
Modify loading systems so that transfer lines can be completely emptied,
with any residual man being contained when loading ceases.
Prod-
/
Tran/
Pack
/
IVoc
Routine Operations
Place portable screens underneath connection points when makkig and
breaking all conaectioas.
Place permanent screens along the exterior edge of the loading docks.
Completely empty transport and storage vessels before disconnecting
from die conveying system.
Supervise longshoremen sod other cargo handlers during cargo loading'
and unloading to ensure proper pellet containment
Inspect cargo immediately upon receipt sad note the condition of
shipping containers and parcels as fee carrier's receipt.
^ Inspect seals on mil hopper cam before unloading.
Check outlet tubes for pellets before moving rail hopper cars or trucks.
Secure outlet caps and seals before moving full or empty rail hopper can
and trucks.
Insist on handling procedures Chat nunimizfe punctures and pellet spillage.
Do not sweep pellets off loading docks and into Jhe water.
Repair punctured bags immediately.
s
'
-------
Table 10. Summary of Recommendations to the Plastics Industry
According to Industry Sactor. (continued!
Recommendation
Improve pallstiag methods.
Tape leaks or replace leaking bags immediately.
Inspect pellet packaging before offloading.
Pmi'
/
/
Trml .
Ripk
^
/"
^
Proc
^
s
Shipping ¥ehfcle§
Us® containers for cargo skipping rather tea iadividuAJ pallets.
Identify the person naponnblfi for eealiag the ports os nil hopper cam
MM! bulk tracks, and doounenl sating.
Close and secure the nil hopper car valve with strong wire or aircraft
able in addition to tha sonnal sealing aJfictauim.
Visually confirm &a£ each compartmeet and tube of shipping veliicltss m
empty.
Inspect interiors of trail ere and sea oontufifixs for defects thai imy
pun^ura p*M»3t packaging.
I Consider v&adaiistn espossire wliea selecting leased track sites.
Avoid oa-dfick pellet sto'wage.
Bo HO* jettison pellets or containers of pellets.
Sea! empty nil lioppsr cars aud Uk trucks before returning them to
shipper,
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
,/
/
/
/
/
/
•/
/
/
/
Residing and Waste Disposal
Store waste pellets la properly labeled oontamers.
Inspect aod amUnn proper haadlbg and storage procedure* if an outside
vendor is used for waste removal.
Recycle or resell waste peUete.
Check brakea and discarded psekajpug for residual pellets.
J
/
/
/
/
s
/
,/
s
s
/
J
fnd;
Tran;
P*ck;
Proo;
Pkrtb Pclto» in did Aqmtie EnvkomiKnt; Soure«i and leoomawidatbiig
-------
of shipped packages, and the receipt of un-
sealed rail hopper cars.
The following are recommendations for con-
trolling the release of pellets into the aquatic
environment through improving industry man-
agement practices,
* Adept and implement SPI's 1991
Pdlet Retention, Environmental Code
and 1992 Processor's Pledge. Hie
code and pledge are presented and dis-
cussed in greater detail in Section
5.2.3.
« Conduct self evaluations to identify
problem areas. The checklists devel-
oped by SPJ (1991) should be used by
sector (Appendk),
« Encourage information-sharing be-
tween companies. The information
transfer should include pellet contain-
ment system successes, identification
of problem areas (e.g., the manufac-
turer should notify a processor if the
raU hopper cars return with valves
open and unsealed), and other mdustry
successes sod failures fa pellet contain-
ment. This communication should
extend between companies of the same
sector (manufacturer to manufacturer,
etc.) and between companies of differ-
ent sectors (manufacturer to packager,
processor to manufacturer, etc). Good
examples of information transfer are
• the Dow Chemical and Paxon Poly-
mers videotapes of their containment
systems,
* Continue ' developing educational
materials, advertising In trade jour-
- nals, conducting presentations at
professional meetings, sending mall-
ings, and producing tfde®tap«s for
distribution throughout the Industry.
S.I3, Education and Training
The least expensive and the most effective first
step to controlling the release of pellets into
the aquatic environment is through education.
Many industry officials believe that pellef
releases result more from improper employes
attitudes than from equipment foilure. This
would .indicate that employee education is
critical to the success of any corrective action.
Recommendations are' to
* Educate key officiate and company
managers regarding the fate and
effects of plastic pellets and the
economic disadvantages of pellet
loss. Despite SPI's efforts, some
company officials remain unaware of
the environmental impacts of pellets,
and, therefore, industry-wide education
and education and training within each
company is needed. Stress the eco-
nomic considerations of controlling
pellet releases, the economic benefits
of recovering and recycling lost pel-
lets, and the economic disadvantages
(loss of feedstock, loss of recycling
revenues) and regulatory penalties
[National Pollutant Discharge Elimina-
tion System (NPDES) permit viola-
tions] for releasing pellets. Also, use
modern teamwork practices to wive
problems, and build a consensus and
coffltoitmeHt .to the task (SH, 1991).
* Educate company employes regard-
ing the environmental hazard! • of
pellets and employee responsibility in
instituting corrective actions. If
. employees fed involved or responsible
they may provide simple and useful
solutions to eliminating pellet release
pathways. Tills can be accomplished
through (1) conduct of employee
awareness programs to educate person*
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Soyrces wid ReoQnuneijdatlona
83
-------
nd of the to prevent pellet loss.
This could Include posting SPI educa-
tional m
5.2J), the partic-
ularly to where are fre-
quently spilled. A
(l.e»» •luachtime and
- for be with
the employees; (Z) bound-
of for spill re-
and (SPI, 1991). For
example, designate ~ one or more per-
per who will be
for prompt and
within a specified work area,
or for monitoring and a
and (3) initi-
ating a of for
for and
exemplary in preventing
pellet loss to the environment.
* Train to
equipment, "particularly forfdifts,. fa
a manner that the poten-
tial for For example,
the to
er of
pellets* as that the
of the forkiift ire property
before contacting- the pallet.
• Train longshoremen 'and other cargo
handlers proper pdlet
(49 CFR Bud
181).
that workers" .he in the
all
5,13 Equipment and 'Facilities
Many companies have few cool tog-, waste-,
and for
the of from the
facility, or for -conttol-
ling spilled , .for
controlling pellet to Ae envi-
ronment by improving existing equipment and
facilities are below.
• A containment system to cap-
storm-water runoff from pellet-
Hie of
into
worst SPI
(1991) a
of handling "50- to 100-year high*
conditions. Within the
system, install baffles, skirts, Booms,
and vacuum
to and (SPI,
• 1991). Two
be (1) an
area-specific in
handling area. Area-«peeif~
ic .containment systems would be the
primary pellet containment systems and
toe Ikcilff-wide would serve' as
a .backup; or (2) a facility-wide con-
tainment m the
at F and G
in Section 4.2,2), These are
'effective in controlling pellet
from covering a large
and volumes of pellets.
• Improve dry cleanup procedure,
particularly In arms subject to
storm-water runoff. By .-allowing
to be ta
runoff, the are
by in the
(SH, 1991).
* Install
with valves that will
cally when, the eunnectten is broken.
Hoses of this type are commonly
available,
* Direct the cleaning water flow
rail and bulk trucks
a to ike
the-pellets to the -ground.
This would
Pkstk Pelktt fa the Aquatic Bnvuonmeof SOUTOM and
-------
•Tl
I-.'"'
Immediately capture the pellets at the
release point, relying on
elaborate passive control to
recapture lie pellets, downstream,
expansion Joints in concrete
floors wlilt a flexible material to
eliminate the pellet-collecting con-
tour. Pellets that accumulate in ftese
joints are difficult to recover by broom
sweeping, and may have to be recov-
ered either manually or by vacuuming.
the joints would facilitate
cleaning and would not interfere with
the expansion and contrsetioi of the
concrete.
Install alarms in the pellet conveying
system that will alert operators to a
breach of the system. Increase the
capacity of air conveying to"
prevent dogging, awl install a oag
house or filter bag assembly- in the
transfer to la
1 unloading lines that cause to (be
vented into the environment (SPI,
1991).
Pawe all pellet handling anas, .in-
cluding, loading docks and rail sid-
ings. Pellets accumulate between
paving and gravel making pellet
recovery difficult iioot impossible.
Place screening In storm drains. The
of the screening should be small-
er than the at
tie facility. Regularly clean the storm
drain to prevent drain clogging
and overflow.
Place control devices, such- as bag
houses and eydOMi, where they can
be serviced without losing pellets. If
these devices are placed or
bins, pellets accumulate on top of the
or and are.-washed down by
rainfall Or blown by wind {SPI, 1991).
Equip bag-handling : with
vacuum hoses to facilitate spill clean-
up.
Use tarp or containment devices to
collect as are 'spilled.
This facilitates cleanup, minimizes
contamination of the pellets (so (bat
they cm be recycled), and permits
quick pellet recovery by containing
them '(SPI, 1991).
Install grating at doorways for wip-
ing feet. During the site visits, pellets
were observed' in areas of the facilities
where only foot trafpe could nave
transported the pellets.
Modify loading systems so
transfer lines can be ecmpletelf
emptied, with any residual pellet*
being contained when loading
1991). Use stainless stud el-
bows on all transfer lines, and cycle
the outlet "valves whle the ak is flow-
ing through tte rail hopper car or bulk
truck durjng pellet unloading.
5.1.4 Routine Operations
Whenever pellets are handled there Is the
potential for pellet spillage, and implementing
a. few simple practices would decrease the
potential for spillage during routine operations.
Recommendations *for controlling pellet releas-
es to the aquatic environment by modifying
and improving routine are
bdow,
* Pises portable screens underneath
connection points when and
breaking all connections. The
should , be placed under the
valve before the connection is made,-
and remain in place during pellet
and valve disconnection,
These are inexpensive, easily-
Pkstic Pellets in the Aquatic Envirorirnenl; Soured tod
"85
-------
rawed, and me an
for at the
point For the
by Company B of §
of 2- x 4-in, cut lumber that
on one by wke
(Section 4.3.2), Additional
include (i) use
(QC)
breaking conveying sys-
etc., (2) conduct only
in. by,
(SPI, 1991), and 0) use
wide-mouth or for
-These eon-
wide that facill-
tate (SPI, 1991),
* Place permanent along the
of file loading
Time will
punctured and
lag valves, and
the
of Ae 'facility.
The be- .smaller
the of the pel-
lets it the facility.
* transport and
from the conveying system. TWs_
, would to possibility of
overfilling a and
wb'De or connections',
* Supervise longshoremen
loading and unloading to ensure
proper pellet containment (49 CFR
Fart 101).
• Inspect cargo ipupediatelf ypon
receipt, the of
and on
the mkler'i receipt f49 Part
101).
» on rail hopper cars
before unloading. Allow only sutho-
to remove the shipping
(49 CFR Part 10 1). This
ihit only properly to
or wit
-the Document
and the notify tibe shipper of the
seal condition,
Check for before
moving raiicars or trucks. Visually
the of the
and die- hose,
Purge lines before unhooking and
lit to
* caps and
full or rail
and trucks.
* Insist on warehouse and other han-
dling that minimize
and box punctures and
-------
of all will be If not
also a
safely hazard to the employees.
Invest more time In routine hoi3s«-
'keepfng.' The
are collected, the less the
are to be Into the environ-
ment.
Initiate to
and spilled peJlete.
are and
sweeping may of the
rather Aan them.
proce-
dures (SOPs) for
cleaning up (SM, 1991).
Conduct routine inspections for the
of on the facili-
ty parking lots,
mreat, etc.
Peiets in storm-water runoff
from any will impact compliance
with NPDES (see
5.2,1).
Use sea of itmk
butt packaging. -a set, con-
tainers be released during ship-
Intprote
sal filling
to valves, am!
bags on pallet in
ing Shrink- or stretch-wrap-
to and con-
tain lost Use card-
on the top and cm the bot-
tom of pallets to puncturing
or and to loose
Finally, and
outbound loads to avoid in
(SPIt 1991).
Tape or replace leaking
(SPI»
particularly
In unrdnforced paper
V cardboard .. packag«/gayk>rds,
offloading. This will preveixt
the jpp
Ae vehicle and the dock.
5.1.6
5.1.7
is § of -pellet
loss to 'the eavironmeat; this fart was-
the site -visits. Therefore,
can be _ to
toss leaky
«
•
* Use rdnforced bap, as woven
polypropylene and line
containoi wift jwoetiire-resistanl
* the we of or
vaived immediately afkr
Changes to current shipping practices and
can the likdttiood of
to. the There-
fore, cm- be to
the shipping industry and of the
industry._
*. for
The
shipping wili
and will .prevent than from
the
on the deck of vessels, etc.
* Identify the -pwson responsible for
the OB rail hopper ears
bulk tlse
Piwtk Ptikt® in, the Aquatic EavinitiTKaK: Sources and
17
-------
document the completion of the seal
(49 Part 101). This -will
lish the for
toe car and § for tack-
ing the point at which a Is
and are
P Close and the rail hopper car
valve with strong wire or aircraft
in to the seal-
Ing mechanism. This redundancy
the time and effort that a
.to the seal
.and Ae Close
and
or the pellets. on
that require- to
be properly rail
cars .are moved, and request customers
to do the
cars (SPI, 1991).
* the condition of and
cargo containers and rail hopper car
seals, and promptly notify the manu-
facturer of (e»g.»
packages, broken valve (49
Part 101).
* ¥iaual!y confirm compart-
ment tube of shipping vehicles is
empty (SP1» 1991). In addition,
sweep, Wow, vacuum, or rinse the
exterior of loaded rail
to remove loose pellets before
the area. Di-
rect pellet flow Into a bin or
Into the containment system. Mao, air
to remove residu-
al in rail hopper cars and tracks
(SOT,
• of trailers 'and set
fir walls, defec-
tive floors, or other defects, that
puncture Cover
or,
if necessary, Insist on a replacement
vehicle, or vacuum any ,loose
pellets In tracks or sea and
and of nay
previous shipments property when
cleaning ship .or sea
(SPI,
1991).
* Consider vandalism
site.
as (SPI,
1991). Advise companies to
to the as
as to the 'and
security personnel.
• Avoid
1991). Stow products oa top and
to sMp wells.
• Do not Jettison or
of
* empty rail hopper cars and bulk
to the
per. "His will loss of
pellets.
5.1.S and Waste
Many do not recycle
pellets, or recycle the only sporadically,
me Joss of recyclable into
the muaieiptl could me
likelihood of' fteir into the
environment. Therefore, several ree-
can be fa to
recycling and the-disposal of waste
» in properly la-
containers. Do not permit
tb on the "grooM' oc
on (SPI, 1991). a mini-
of pellet-specific eon~
, tamer in
container^ should be for
recyclable and
* and confirm "proper handling
and storage procedures if an
i& for removal.
88
Pisigtic Pellets in the Aquatic EnviRtcunciig Sources and Reeoininenditiaiii
-------
OQ TO-loss-to-tibe-envIronment
(SPI» 1591).
Recycle or pellets. Use
incineration and controlled landfiHing
only whett recycling or are
Consider
in a fed Wending
(SP1» "beds,"
and that are sad
recycled, or of prop-
erly, Tbe
method is by recycling, followed by
reuse, Incineration by approved
odsf or deposit in a. controlled
(SPI, 1991).
Check brokers and packag-
ing for
5.2
for and
controlling tie of to the
environment. An regulatoiy
work is that of
and
developed policies and
in to plastic debris-related regula-
tions. Industry has also policies and
programs toward control-
ling the of and, consequently.
Into the Descriptions of
and' are
below, .
5 J.I Legal Framework
legal authorities, such as international
and regulations* have
for the of
the TM§
reviews of the
for the of plastic
into (water-
based sources) and the of plastic
debris from land-based sources, such m
try and and
Water-Based
The United is § to V
of the of 1978 to the Inter-
national Convention for the Prevent!! oe of
Protocol of
to as MAKPOL
Annex V). Under the of the Conven-
tion, MA1K1L ¥ on
31, 1988. "Hie the
at~$ea of all
normal shipboard
MAKPOL Annex V be used as a mticb-,
for controlling land-based releases of
pellets into "the environment because the treaty
only to at sea awl is not appli-
cable to la addition,
MAKPOL Annex V only to of
are not bound' by the treaty's
tioos, but signatory are to
provide for the of
at (Anon., 1988b).
The Marine Plastic Pollution Research and
Control Act, Public Law 100-220
(MOPPRCA) 'the provisions of
MA1POL -Annex V by Ae Act to
Prevent Pollution is in
1901 (TIT, 1988). afad
other of in
the in 19S6 MM 19S7
The MPPRCA specifically prohibit! the dis-
posal of plastics at-sea 'by B.S.-registered
is any nod
"m (i.e., baysf
waterways, and
and the to
2(11 of the (TIT,
Plastic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources md
-------
CMC, The law the
responsibility of developing regulations for
the MPPRCA, implemmtifig and
the aM clvfl
for to the United
(USCG).
Several of the MPPRCA that ar.e
applicable to
*• Public — Tie
Oceanogr^pfaie aud Ad-
(NOAA) and EPA are
required to develop and
for the
public the
the of and
debris into the aquatic environment.
• Waste-Reception — All
and
of ^400 or
> 500,000 Ib of commercial
products fa a calendar year must have
waste-handling and
for ship-
on load-
ing docks, ships* and to
holds may be considered shipboard
(A.T. Kearney, 1991).
* Waste — All U.S.
develop and
shipboard plans that
the provisions of MA1POL
¥, He USCG is to
any vessel > .or do-
mestic, of within
200 of the U.S.- (CMC,
• '
law that may apply to 'water--
of into the environment
is the Marine ^Protection, Research, and
Act of 1972 is
to as the
Act tiii MPRSA, m U.S.
any material, including plastic, for
the purpose of dumping the into the
Ae has a to
EPA; EPA not for the
of the and regula-
tions Implementing the MPRSA prohibit
• such dumping.
In to and
to the United is a signato-
ry, aid local may
tibe of from vessels- in
their-jurisdiction. (1987)
erf that tnd
on- or
waste-storage requirements and provi-
for waste-disposal facilities at
Land-Based Sources
The of or other
land-based point or
is subject to regulation
402 of the Water Art (Bean, 1987).
Prior to 16, 19§0» Pollut-
ant
guidelines for the
controlled only the pH of fte effluent and did
not limit the- discharge of solid or
(Bean, 1987). On November 16,
1990, EPA the to "tie
NPDES for storm-water
es. ' 122 of ' Title 40 [40 CPE
122.26(b)(12)] to
be significant in storm-water and
we as
Therefore, can be
to the NPDES permit
guidelines.
to NPDES
for all that cany
wtter from industrial into public waiet-
and Mumraert, 1.991).
include 'storm-water run-
off • yards,
roads and railroad sidinp,
ponds, handling'
Phutie Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Source* tnd
-------
•wastewater sites, equipment bandliog/main-
tenance areas, residual treatment areas, tod
loading/unloading (40 CPU 122,26)
(Bain and' Mummert, 1991). Areas excluded
from NPDES permitting include lands separate
from those mentioned areas, such as
employee parking lots where runoff from the
lots does not mix with runoff from areas of
industrial activity (Bain and Miunmert, 1991).
Other Federal laws thai may apply to land--
based of pellets into the environment
include
• Mvers and Harbors Art of 1899
Art) — Although the
Act of 1899 has superseded by
the MPDES permit program of the
Clean Water Act, it a
prohibition against the' unpermitted
deposit of- "material of any kind* that
is likely to be transported into naviga-
ble waters, other what would be
carried by^ sewers (CMC, 1988),
According to CMC "(1988), it is possi-
ble that the Act of 1899 "could
be used to prosecute against, for exam-
ple, an industrial source of large quan-
tities of plastic or a landfill
operated in such a way that refuse
could be washed into rivers.**
» Toxic Substances Control Act
of 1976 - Under TSCA,
EPA has the authority to require the
testing of new .and existing chemical
substances ~ entering the emmroameat,
and, subsequently, the - authority to
regulate these ' substances (EPA,
1990a), EPA (1990a) that a
serious of plastics disposal in
water bodies is the injury to and death
of marine -animals that mistake plastics
for food. However, EPA has histori-
cally applied Its authority to substances
more acutely toxic than plastic materi-
als, and the is on the toxicity of
the chemicals and not on the of
•the products in which the chemicals
are used (EPA, 1990a)>
• Resource ConserwaUoa Recovery
Act of 1P76 (RCRA).— MCRA de-
fines hazardous waste'as "a solid waste
, , . which of its . . . physl-
'cal [or] chemical . . , characteristics
may . . . pose a substantial present or
potential to ... the environ-
ment when improperly treated, stored,
transported, or disposed of," Based
on this definition, (1987) coosM-
ers plastic trash (e.g., pellets to the
solid waste stream) to be hazardoui
waste. Because the focus of the BPA's
RCRA program focuses on chemical
toxicity and generators that produce
this- type of waste in the of
manufacturing other products, EPA
does not regulate pollution by plastic
trash under tie authority of the RCRA
1987).'
Additional strategies to reduce plastic marine
pollution from land-based should be
aimed at state and local governments (Bean,
1987). To date, no states have laws
restricting pellet releases, although
states have enacted laws limiting the use of
plastic products such as beverage, yokes (Beaa,
1987) or requiring the use of
rial in lobster/or* and pots (TTF, 1988).
Bean (1990) encouraged the development of
recyclable or degradable plastics m the solu-
tion to pollution the growing
contribution,. of plastic to the solid-waste-
stream), and recommended solid-waste dispos-
al laws" of general applicability in lieu of a.
. major shift to degradable or 'recyclable
or oonplastie alternatives.
5.2.2 Government Programs and Policy
The MPPRCA in in
5,2.1) requires that EPA, NOAA, Ad the
PLaslk Pellets in the Aquatk Environment; Source* and Recommendationi
9J
-------
of, jointly
public' programs. To
In . to the study, EPA -has
sponsored activities thai" directly ad-
the of in the environment
• the 1990 to fie Con-
fo fliwf Control
(EPA,
• MPDES
for (40 QPR
122>
« Developing -a for
of the Water Act, to
to
(CSO)
» Initiating of CSOs as of
debris, (EPA,
, '•-
» of
in of the
(EPA, TrulII er of.,
' 1990; el a/., 1992)
* t pUot for
tog the of on U.S.
beaches, This program Is being con-
ducted In conjunction with the
Park Service,
The iOcean Pollution Planning Ad
of 1978 required that NGAA prepare 5-year
for !and monitoring
pollution, the of
and of % organ-
In '1987, NGAA" 'convened a
to establish the ' National - marine pollution
priorities, was
' 'the top five aid the
of the and on the
eavTOmnent specifically named. He
' proceedings of" the worisfaop to
the Pianfor PotlMtion
, and for
Under the of NOAA and the
-------
>j"
f
* V
If.
i
provide'several good for control-
ling rail hopper can in
aad the right-of-
way, Applicable recomniendatloni have
Incorporated Into 5,1.
'5.23 Industry and Initiatives
In .to the of
MARPOL ¥ and
evidence of tie of to
the environment, the plastics Industry
and
md developed policies aimed at
controlling the of plastics,
into the SIM! waterways.
Industry Programs'
In addition to the voluntary cooperation of SPI
and the in the
4,0), SPI has other
activities deigned to Inform and the
in to the of
released pellets on the-environment,
To alert pellet of the of
into the SPJ host-
ed a briefing for pellet producers in Septem-
ber, 1986. by a Cento
for (CMC)
on debris, as well as of
industry pellet reclamation activities, eventual-
ly led to t
below). la 1981, the SPI of
Directors in policy la
to the plastics indus-
try's pledge to solve the problem. la to
pellete specifically; the statement dearly
that SPI was to condi-
tions which- are by man-
ufectwen and transporters (Bruner, 1990),
la 1987, SPI, NOAA, and CMC jointly
ed a to 'the
die of ip Tie cam-
paign on all types of tad
audiences. Pellets,
whose audience .was the
and was oae of five.
target points of the campaign (SPI, 1990). SPI
t and Educa-
tion Kit for the , included
Infonoaa-
tion, md 'peBet-related carrying the
• Qpwt rte
a of a single pellet (Figure 31).
The kit was so that
Ma -cam-
paigns and educate employees about the owl-
by pellets. Sevenl
were for
ling • during iUp-
piog, and handling. SPI kits
to 1500 and
published portions of. the kite in
In I9S8, the kit to
the community; SPI Pr«Ment
Larry Thomas to the
tional Association of Plastics Directois. By
the end of 19S9» than 1000-
of (25
in 10 publications) or had
to the '(Bruner$ 19%;
SH, 1990). kits to be
aad the pellet
in 1990,
EPA'.studies .between 198S aad 1992
1990b,. 19§2a»b»e) tfcat
to be an problem, fa
to SPI i
Pellet Tisk Force to investigate Ae problem.
In November 19%, the of
the Form, SPI t"
•second campaign' Operation
at die nd Its
(Figure 32). The' 1991 Jte-
Envtroanuntal' Code'.(Plgan 33) tod
the Processor's- 34) are
an of this SPI has
Plwtk PeSrta in the Aqo&tic Environment:
-------
A
this for a fish And die.
Keep Resin Pellets In Their Place . . .
And Let The Birds Find Something Else To Eat
I Th« Society of Che Piasiics Industry, NIC,
Figure 31. A Poster Distributed during the 1987 SPI Marine Debris Campaign,
Ptastic Bdlets in the Aquatic Environment; Sources and
-------
V-P>*>^t«-™!**^^^
Out To Stop Resin Met Loss !
ft
to project ow enwooment , . . and four business with Opemion Ckan
Sweep. A poweriiilpn^on designed 10 reach evei>t)odx
producers to cfiseribuiore to processors. Fran the loading dock to the boaatrofm
Eventhe5iraUestk}Korfesinpelleisisapro^^
fxt3cfaKiJoij,.,BtfolcKinpKkffli^a«l di^iqg ...zero toss to receiving, ..zero Joss to
pctKsssiag. It 's as simple as nunimair^ sptts, prompt art tteoughcta^
Be part of dK solutioa Hnd ouihowyou cm reduce the loss of resin pdkts and noc'
only he§ to protect the environment, but obey the law. Write woUforOfSeratlQCiGeifl
Sweep information today, Ancthdp our industry keep the envbonment'dean.
CaM fTl-5215 or te
The Sodetypf the Plastics todsistr?. Me.
1275 K NW, Suite 4l», DC 20005
Figure 32. Advertisement for the 1991 SPI Opefation Clean Sweep Campaign.
Mett in the Aquatic Environment: Sounoa and
95
-------
Its
to the 'Environmental'
tnd», thereby,• to *ttie eon-
tainment of plastic pellets throughout thek
and -to In foil compliance
and im-
pacting on ,{SPJ» 1991).
By the 'end of August 1991, nearly
of the companies had signed and to the
and the con-
sidering toe (Mr. SPI,
28, 1991,
WasMnglOtt, DC,). The Processor'$
WES developed and introduced to SPI's proces-
sor In the of 19® in an
to that of the
mpre aware of the importance of preventing
loss. Sweep was Intro-
duced to the industry at the National
TtM& In July 1991, to
lllBGfs, The was also
of
over 25 it the Associa-
tion of Directors to June 1991. SPI it
of
of the for distribution.
by Individual Companies
programs to
the of into the
Good of
measures-were at pro-
ducer Companies- F and G {Section 4.2.2) and
B 4.3.2).
Merchant Initiatives
that the Insti-
tute of (AIMS), a
issoeiitloQ for'many -U.S.-flagged'mer~
his given-testimony to 'the. Con-
to ,of fte provisions .of MAKPOL
Annex V, AIMS-
of pollution'
, and of
with. ¥ ,
5 J TO
MIGULATOIS
A logical for identifying problem
§ facility are the Federal,
and die
ttiree This not that
inspectors should be empowered to fine or
otherwise the facility operators.
the flie
nity to point out and
problems during their routine
Therefore^ title following recommendations
for
* Educate local, -state, and Federal
Inspectors. These'inspectors generally
to the
do tny official,
Although tie have no rep-
latory authority over pellet contain-
ment, &e fact that i regulatory official
a
» Establish guidelines for sealing the
~ ports on rail hopper can, bulk
trucks, and other shipping vehicles,
The, DOT AMsory
Guidelines, to 49 CPU Part
101, include several reeGmniendatiQB&
that have been incorporated into ftfs
report
* . to
notify the Mid
broken or are ob-
serwed. Although" pellets are not
by D0T to be
be to the
if no preventive measures have been
Ptatie WkSi in the Aquttks Environment: Sownse*
-------
taken (e.g., ral hopper ear valve not
or inadequately §ealed).
5,4 OF
RECOMMENDATIONS
would be inexpensive to implement. Facility-
wide containment systems have bees shown to
be effective pellet control mechanisms, tat
. these systems may not be- at smaller
facilities or at faculties that effectively control
pellet where they occur.
if
,-4
Existing Federal regulations, such as the
MPPMCA, provide a for requiring con-
trols over the release of all plastic materials.,
including pellets, tate the aquatic environment.
Provisions of the recently finalized stonn-
water discharge' rules specifically
in storm-water discharge. All facilities are
advised flat they to be of pellet
contamination of storm water and the need to
comply with any applicable terms of their
permit regarding pellets. However,
alone cannot control the of pellets; &e
can only companies to
implement control measures. Ultimately,
controlling pellet into the environment
is the responsibility of the plastics- industry^
and effective controls should be continued and*
enhanced through voluntary industry "pro-
grams.
Controlling pellet can begin with
proper training and education of indus-
try managers and employees and by increasing
of the posed by pellets and
of the economic incentives for controlling
releases. Capital investments hi containment
miy be to control
at facilities that handle large volumes of pel-
lets, but Inexpensive control measures, such as
portable or tarps, may be for
controlling releases at small-volume Compa-
nies. All facilities could improve routine
housekeeping by increasing 'the
frequency of sweeping and including the use of
vacuums to recover spilled"pellets.
In conclusion, several mechanisms -for control-
ling pellet are currently available, and
most of the meefaaiusms, such as education,
portable screens, and Improved housekeeping,
Plastic Wtett in the Aquatic Envlronnwrt;; Sources &ad Recoiunadaiktai
-------
DM«fa» (PMTO)drrbeSoeietf oftfae
Member OMBpanfes of the Wytnerfc
to ojwafing in fill
OB pdkt oonabunau. To adaiesc this goal, the following sate* are snwgljf encouraged.
pfans to hdp bring sfccwi die Mkwfag §eak
* Property SCOXTE sad CEtemafly dean bulk cEBitsio^
fttwkte ciDK^tainiTieBC gyaen^ 10 prevem prik« tham eac^^
«ys^™ thw pr w4des fc rtx^^
ciiBi thtar eic^i
^^
caBy adviie tbem as 10 hot* Important adrieweoimt of thoe goate k ID the enrviiWBHeet, dbe pubfc and
ttte irtdi^Mry d»ey serve. MeMibcrc£«j|>m)a«faiBprtWBdc asaistffloiUit^^
ttes ta pdlct CMiBinmcni: and ask »hein to actaiosAM^e Adr aecqM*noeofl6egMfcirftfclicocle.
S*eru» Itefccskm
i pete eontsfanieni
FVtividg appropriate TOBtsmmoitsjf^^
D«?>«k^as¥Mcm thai. prc^iioferEsx^^roifja^is tobe
inanaier ifctt pwwna dhdr ««^te into 4e enwrewnent,
theknpcrtaiKC af raspoasibtecsrc, Mfflaber cnmfKinfca ato wiB prcmdc asrf^^K^ in i3BpfXi
a»»«jiBc«" capaMitto In pelet eoatatomcat send a* tu^h ou»aai««t»atiaioiilc^pAdt»
of she goab of dai code.
i^
* l^oitt approprte amtsfam^
8 Devefep i swgm tb^ piTovkks fe all recovCTixi pdkw
that ptwoMi ihar escape inso ft* eroif
Dfefefass
fcdussry, Inc
40)
Figure 33, 1991 SPI Pellet Retention Environmental Code.
98 Pkstic PdJ.etg in the Aquatic Enviroiimer.f: Sources and
-------
T©
PREVENT EESIN PELLET Loss
Recognizing the importance of preventing the loss of re$in pellets into the
environment this company commits Itself to the following principles -
We will!
» Comply with all environmental laws and regulations impacting on pellet
containment,
» Install containment systems or devices as needed in unloading/transfer
areas to effectively prevent release of pellets into the environment •
• Conduct regular training of employees ©n spill prevention and cleanup
procedures.
* Prevent all spills possible, cleaning up any spilled pellefs as quickly as
possible.
• Ensure that shipping containers (rail cars and bulk trucks) arc
properly secured prior to movement or return, and that disposable
containers (gaylorefs, bags, etc.) are completely empty before disposal.
* Recycle any recovered pellets or otherwise secure them in a manner that
prevents their escape into the environment upon disposal.
Ste
Company Names.. ,. Dales.
Authorized Representative:. „ «.
AddlCM!..... „„..„.„...„.' ,
City:... ..• ..State:
.Zip,
Figufg 34. 1992 S PI Processor's
Plastic Pellels in the Aquatic Environment: Source* and Heeommendafcions
-------
-------
6.0 GLOSSARY
Additive
Conveyor
Culvert
Effluent
Epibiont
Extrusion
Gaylord
Gizzard
Hopper
Melt
Monomer
Used to alter the physical
characteristics of a polymer,
such as the .esthetic and physi-
cal properties and the ability to
be further .processed.
A machine that transports
materials from one place to
another.
A sewer or
under1 a, road.
drain crossing
How of waste water released
from a facility,
Organism that lives attached to
another organism but without
benefit or detriment to the
Host.
Shaping plastic by forcing
through a.die.
Large, IQOQ-Ib capacity, card-
board box used for shipping
pellets.
A muscular enlargement of the
digestive tract of a bird,
A receptacle in which materi-
als are held in readiness for
unloading or dispersing. .
A hot, very viscous Jiquid
produced' by the process of
bulk polymerization.
A molecule that can be chemi-
cally bound as a unit of a
polymer.
Neuston Small- to medium-size organ-
jsins that live on.or under the
surface film of water bodies.
Pellet Resins that are generally
spherical, ovoid, or cylindrical
in sbape, and between 1 and 5
mm dia.
Pelletizer Equipment used to create
pellets from polymers. The
type of pelletizer used deter-'
mines the size and shape of the
pellets.
Packager Sector of the plastics industry
that breaks down bulk ship-
ments of pellets into smaller
containers such as bags and
gaylords; also called contact
packager.
Processor Sector of the plastics industry
that molds the pellets into
fabricated user-products.
Producer Sector, of the plastics industry
that creates the polymers and
extrudes the pellets.
Transporter Sector of the plastics industry
that' moves or carries the
pellets between the pellet
producers, packagers, and
processors.
Pinocytotic, Active ingestion of fluid by a
cell, by imagination of the cell
membrane to form vesicles.
Pneumatic Operated by compressed air.
Mastic PdJets in the Aqu-aEic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
lot
-------
Polymer A or synthetic • com-
of
Inter-linked molecules.
Polymerize To or into a
polymer,
MJtoad siding A length of railroad track that
Is to the main track.
A
or gas deriv-
atives.
• A
of reetangu-'
iar ani a drive system,
The
water surface a contain-
Thermoplastic
rafats
Tberaaoset
resins
Weir
•Resins that cm be or
without
or the or
physical properties of the poly-
mer. are MgMy mal-
leable but
cooled.
that to be rigid,
Infesible, and and
be and re-
formed.
A mechanical device that
the and' of
by or
mechanical devices.
102
Pl*stiie PeBeta in tiw Aquatic
Soure« *nd
-------
Anon, 1981. Galapagos fainted, by plastic
pollution. Geo 3:137,
Anon. 1988a. Modern Plastics Encyclopedia.
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., Inc., New York,
NY,
Anon. 1988b, Plistic dumping at sea to be
banned. Mar, Pollut. Bull. 19(4):90-91.' •
ABOH. 1990, Dynamic Air Conveying Sys-
tems. Advertisement. Cham. Equip, 29(4):2.
A.T. Kearney. 1991, Revision of tide Port
Reception Facility Section of the IMO Guide-
lines for the Implementation of MAKPOL
Annex V. Report prepared by Kearney/ Cen-
taur Division, A.T, Kearney, Inc., for the
Department of Commerce, National _ Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, Marine
Entanglement Research Program, Seattle, WA,
1991.
Bain, A.T., and M.C.- Mummert, 1991.
NPDES permits for storm waier discharge.
PoUut. Eng, 1991 (4):68-72.
BaJazs, G.H. 1985, Impact of ocean debris
on marine turtles: Entanglement and tnges-
tion. Pp. 387-429 in Sfaomura, R.S.» and
H.O. Yoshida (Eds.)i Proceedings of the
Workshop on the Fate and Impact of Marine
Debris, November 27-29, 1984, Honolulu,
HI. NOAA Tech. Mem. NOAA-TM-NMFS-
SWFC-54. Department of Commerce, Nation-
al Oceanic - and Atmospheric Administration,
National Marine Fisheries Service, Washing-
ton, DC.
Baltz. D.M., and G.V. Mortjohn. 1976.
Evidence from seabirds of plastic particle
pollution off Central California.
7:111-112,
West. Birds
Bean, M J. 1917. Legal strategies for reduc-
ing persistent plastics in the marine environ-
ment, Mar. Pollut. Bull 18(6B):357-360,
Bean, MJ. 1990. Redressing the problem of
persistent marine debris through law and pub-
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in Shomura, R.S., and M.L.
(Eds,), Proceedinp of the Second International
Conference on Marine Debris, 2-7 April 1989,
Honolulu, Hawaii. NOAA Tech, Mem,
NMFS, NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-1541
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, -National
Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, DC,
Bourne, W.R.P., and MJ. Umber. 19S2.
Plastic pellets collected by a prion on Gough
Island, Central South Atlantic Ocean. Mar.
Pollot. BuH. 13(1):2041.
Brown* R.G.B., S.P. Parka, D.E. Gaskin,
and M.R. Sandeman. 1981.' The of
peat and scwty shearwateis Pyffbus §ravis and
P. griseus to Eastern Canadian Waten. Ibis
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Bmner, R.G. 1990. The plastics indintry and'
marine debris; Sototions through education.
Pp, 1077-1019 in Shomura, R.S., and M.L.
Godfrey (Bds.)i Proceedinp of the Second
International Conference on Marine Debris, 2-
7 April 1989, Honolulu, Hawaii. NOAA
Tech. Mem. NMFS, NOAA-TM-NMFS-
SWFSC-I54. Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
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Plastic Pelktt in the Aquatic Environment: Source® and Recommendations
103
-------
Carpenter, E.J., and-KX, Smith, Jr. 1972,
on the Sea
175:1240-1241.
Carpenter, EJ,» S.J. G.R. Harvey,
H.P. and B.B. Peck. 1972. Poiysty-
spfaeniSes in witers.
178:749^750.
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on the and- survival
outlook of sea turtles. Mar. Poiiut. lull.
CEE. 1911. in the Ocean; More
Tfaan a Litter Problem. Report by
the Center for Environmental Education (now
for Wash-
ington, DC," under Contract No. 68-ft2-422§,
to the Environmental Protection Agency,
DC. 128 pp.
CMC, 1988, A Citizen's to in
the Ocean: More Than a Utter- Problem.
ISBN 0-96IS294-2-3.
fcjt Marine Conservation, Washington, DC.
143 pp.
CMC. 1989. North America's'
1989 -Beach Results.
for Conservation, DC,
310 pp.
CMC, 199d, Cleaning North America's
1990 Results.
for Marine Conservation, Washington, DC,
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Program: 1989 Mariae Debris Survey, De-
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1974. in of the
northwestern Atlantic, Science 185:491-497.
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on fat deposition la red phalaropes,
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Dahlberg, MX., and R.H. Day, Ob-
of on Ae
of the Pacific Ocean, Pp. If 8-2 12 to
Shomura, R.-S., and H.O, Yashin CEds.)>
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of Debris, November 27-29,
1984, Honolulu, Hawaii. NOAA Tech. Menu
NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFC-54, of
•Commerce, Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Fineries
Service, Washington, DC.
Day, R.H. 1980, the occarr«ce and diarac-
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birds, M.S., th«is» U.nivers% of. Alaska,
Fairbanks, AIL 111 pp.
Day, R.H., and D.G. Shaw. 1987.
In the of pelagic plastic and tar in
the north Pacific Ocean, 1976-1985, Mar,
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, J.'B. 1974. ia the
Day, R.H., D.H.S. a^ F.C. Cole-
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Pp. 344-3S6 in R,S,
and H.O, Yoshlda (Eds.), of Ae
Workshop on the File and Impact of Marine
November 27-29, 19S4, Honolulu,
NOAA-TM-
NMFS-SWFC-54. of Coipnaerce,
National Oceanic and Administra-
tion, Service, Wash-
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Day, R,H,» D.M. Cliusen, and S.E.
19S6, Distribution .and of
in the north Pacific Ocean to 1986,
to the •International North
104
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-------
Pacific
AK, 17 pp.
Day, R.H., D.0. Shaw, and S»E, Ignell.'
1990, TEe distribution and char-
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Ocean. Pp. 247-266 In Shomura, R.S., aod
MX. Godfrey (Eds.). Proceedings of the
Second International Conference on Marine
2-7 April 1989»
NMFS-SWFSC-154, of Com-
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EPA/530-SW-89-05I. Protec-
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November February 1989. EPA
S03/4-9CW>QS,
Agency, Washington, DC. 193 pp. +
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19S9 April 1991, EPA
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EPA, 1992b. Harbor Survey
at Honolulu, Hawaii, and Bay
Observations, February 1992. Draft
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of
and Watersheds, Contract No. 68-C8-
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by
No. to the..Envi-
ronmental Protection of Wet-
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Puraess, R.W. 19S3, in
procellariiferm seabirds from the Ben- •
Current, South Africa. Ma, Pollut
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R.W,
tion: Accumulation by sea-
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Fry, D.M., S.I._ Fefer, and L.
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and wedge-tailed sh^rwiters in fte Hawaiian
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D, 19S8, Involvem«t of
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Gregory, M.R. 19S3, Virgin
on of and Ber-
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H., and G. Conaons. 1974.
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Pkiiie Pellets in the Aquatic Environment Sourecs and Rccommeexl&licm* 109
-------
. Appendix
FOR
AND
-------
-------
-------
.:P-reven€ing 'Pellet Loss
RESIN PRODUCTION FACILITIES
CHECKLIST
(You may wish to use this checklist after you've reviewed the recommendations in the
preceding chapter. It is suggested that each resin production location complete a checklist)
Put A-General
Yes No
Q Q Is your company implementing the SPI Pellet Retention Environmental Code?
Q Q Do you haw written procedures for reducing and recovering any lost pellets?
Q Q Do each of your resin production facilities haw *iero-los" containment systems
that will prevent pellets from escaping plant boundaries?
Q Q Is direct responsibility for preventing pellet loss assigned to specific individuals?
Q Q Have you conducted an employee educational awarenea campaign on preventing
pellet loss? (If no, consider ordering Operation Clean Sweep materials from SPI.
See page 36.)
Part B-Rail Hopper Cars -
Ye No •
Q Q Do you collect - for recycling or proper disposal - ail peUets recovered during
cleaning of empty hopper cars?
Q Q Do you cleanse hopper cars of loose pellets after they hate been loaded and
before they leave the "secure area" of your containment system?
Q Q Is sampling conducted only in areas protected by your containment system?
(If not, do you insist on use of a mrp or "catch tray* to collect any pellets
spilled during sampling?)
Q Q Do you use heatyduty aircraft cable scab on all outlet caps and hatch covers?
Q Q Do yoo regularly remind customers of the importance of securing outlet caps
before returning empty cars to you?
PeUeti in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recomrrienektiofts
A-l
-------
Prevent! 11 e Pellet Loss
RESIN PRODUCTION FACILITIES
Part C - Padogmg/Warehousing
4
¥« No
Q Q Are loading/unloading areas paved to facilitate cleanup?
Q Q D© transfer lines include a bag house or filter bag assembly to preventpellet
loss during surges?
Q Q Do you use packaging that minimizes leakage from bag valves and offers
maximum puncture resistance?
Q Q Are corrugated caps (lop and bottom) used on palletized bags? Are palletized
bags shrink- or stretch-wrapped?
Q Q Are "caich trays" placed at each shipping/receiving bay to help contain spilled resin?
Q Q Do your procedures make cleanup the responsibility of the person (s) causing
the»pill?
Q Q Are floor sweeps and other waste pellets disposed of in a manner that prevents
their loss into the environment?
Fadlity Location.
Checklist Completed By.
ResponsiWe for Corrective Follow-up
.Date
A-2
Ptastk Pellets ta the Aquatic Environment: Souroa and Recommendations
-------
Preventing -Pellet Loss
RESIN HANDLING/PA-CKACING/WAREHO USING
CHECKLIST
(You may wish to use this checklist for each plant location after reviewing the
recommendations In the preceding chapter.)
Part A-General
Yes No
U Q Do you have written procedures for reducing and recovering any lost pdlett?
Q Q Is "direct responsibility for preventing pellet loss assigned to specific individuals?
Q Q Have you conducted an employee educational awareness campaign on preventing
pellet loss? (If not, consider ordering Operation Clean Sweep materials from SPL
See page 36.)
Q Q Are tools/materials readily available to handle cleanup of spills?
Q, Q Are yon aware of permk requirements pertaining to resin pellets that are required
% die U.S. government's new storm water regulations? (If not, contact SPPs
Technical Affairs Department for further information.)
Part B - Resin Delverf/Storage
Q Q Is your unloading area protected by a storm water containment system?
Q Q Is it paved to facilitate cleanup?
Q Q Do you dean up immediately all spills resulting from sampling of bulk shipments
or unloading procedures ?
Q Q Do you insist thai employees replace 'and secure afl outlet caps and hatch
covers on bulk rail hopper cars before releasing cars for return shipment?
Q • Q Do transfer lines include a bag house or filter bag assembly to prevent loss of
pellets during surges?
Q Q Do transfer lines have stain less steel elbows? Nozzle interlocks? Is there adequate
capacity to prevent plugging?
Q Q Arc "catch trays" placed at each shipptag/recewing hay to help contain spiDed resin?
Q Q Do your procedures make cleanup the responsibility of the person ($) causing
• the spill?
Q Q Are floor sweep* and other waste pellets disposed of in a manner that prevents
their loss into the environment?
Facility Location
Checklist Completed By _Date
Responsible for Corrective Follow-up
Ptutic Pellets in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendation* A-3
-------
Preventing Pellet Loss
PROCESSORS & REP1QCESSORS
CHECKLIST
(You may wish to use this checUm after you've reviewed the recommendations in the
preceding chapter.)
Part A-General
Yes No
Q Q Do you have written procedures For reducing and recovering any lost pellets?
Q Q Is direct responsibility for preventing pellet loss assigned to specific Individuals?
Q Q Have you conducted an employee educational awareness campaign on preventing
pellet toss? (If not, consider ordering Operation dean Sweep materials from SPL.
See page 36.)
Q Q Are tools/materials readily available to handle cleanup of spilk?
Q Q Are you aware of permit requirements pertaining to resin pellets that are required
by the U.S. government's new storm water regulations? (Knot, contact SPFs
Technical Affairs Department for further information.)
Part B - Resin Delivery/Storage
Q Q Is your unloading area protected by a. storm water containment system?
Q Q Is it paved to facilitate cleanup?
Q Q Do you clean up immediately all spills resulting from sampling of bulk
shipments or unloading procedures?
Q LJ Do you insist that employees replace and secure ail outlet caps and hatch covers
on 'bulk rail hopper cars before releasing cars for return shipment?
Q Q Bo transfer lines include a bag. house or filter bag assembly to prevent Io« of
pellets during surges?
Q Q Are "catch trays* placed at each shipping/receiving bay to help contain spilled nesn?
Q Q Do your procedures make cleanup the responsibility of the person (»} causing
the spUl?
Q Q Are floor sweeps and other waste pellets disposed of in a manner that prevents
their loss into the environment'
Facility Location .j
Checklist Completed By Date
Responsible for Corrective Follow-up
A-4 Plastic Pelkte in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Recommendations
-------
-Pre veltt in g Pellet Loss
MACHINERY MANUFACTU.RERS/MOLDMAKERS/
-^RESEARCH AND TESTING FACILITIES
CHECKLIST
(You may wish to use this checklist- after reviewing the recommendations
in the preceding chapter,)
¥es No
Q Q Do you have written procedures for reducing and recovering of any losipeieto?
Q Q Is direct responsibility for preventing pellet loss assigned to specific individuals?
Q Q Have you conducted an employee educational awareness campaign on preventing
pellet lots? (If not, consider ordering Operation Qemn Sweep materials from SP1.
See page 36.) '
Q Q Are tools/materials readily available to handle cleanup of spalls?.
Q Q Are you aware of permit requiremen ts pertaining to resin pellets that are required
by the U.S. government's new storm water regulations? (If not, contact SPI's.
Technical Affairs Department for further information.) '
Q Q Are "catch Days" placed at each sWppuig/reeewing bay to help contain ipiUed resin?
Q Q Do your procedures make cleanup the responsibility of the person (s) causing'
the spill?
Q Q Are floor sweeps and other' waste pellets disposed of in a manner that prevents
their loss into the environment?
Facility Location
Checklist Completed %_
Responsible for Corrective Follow-up_
Date
Pkrtie Pdte ia the Aquatic Environment Sources and Reoommeod»tiop«
A-S
-------
Preventing Pellet Loss
TRANSPORTATION' SERVICES & REPAIR. FACILITIES
CHECKLIST
(You may wish to use this checklist after reviewing the recommendations
in the preceding chapter.)
Part A-General
Yes No
Q Q Do you have written procedures for reducing and recovering any lost pellets?
Q Q Is direct responsibility for preventing pellet loss assigned to specific individuals?
Q LI Hawe you conducted an employee educational awareness campaign on preventing
pellet loss? (If not, consider ordering Operation Qean Sweep materials from SPI.
See page 36,)
Q Q Are too Is/materials readily available to handle cleanup of spiib?
Q Q Do yow procedures make cleanup the responsibility of the person (s) causing
the spill?
Q Q Are floor sweeps and other waste pellets disposed of in a manner that prevents
their loss to the environment?
Part B - Repair Fadlitiei
Yes No
Q Q Are pellets coleeted and properly disposed of (in a manner that prevents their
release into die'environroent) during routine maintenance and cleaning of rail
hopper cars, hopper trucks, package trucks, bulk shipping containers, etc., prior
to loading with a new resin order?
Q Q Do you insist that unloading ralves be dosed, outlet caps secured, and hatch
covert closed before returning empty cars?
Q Q Are any pellets spilled during rail yard repairs promptly and thoroughly cleaned
up and properly disposed of?
A~6 Plastic Petes in the Aquatic Environment: Sources and Reoommeodatioof
-------
P r c v c n I i n %
llet
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES & REPAIR FACILITIES
Part C - Maine Uransport
Yes No
Q Q When ship holds or ocean containers are cleaned after break-bulk shipment*,
ire loose pellets properly contained before disposing of them?
Q Q Do employees know the importance of not sweeping periets into the water?
Q Q Are- ocean containers in good repair »thai interior deficiencies don't tear
open bags/boxes?
Q Q Are ocean container! of resin stowed in the ship wells, not on deck?
Q Q Do shipboard emergency procedures provide for priorities of other cargo to
be Jettisoned rather than plastic pefiets?
Facility l/Kaoon.
Checklist Completed By _
Date
Responiibk for Correetwe
Pkstic Pc.lkts in the Aquatic Environment; Sources and Recommendilion
A-7
-------
Preventing Pellet Loss
WASTE DISPOSAL S-EftVICES
CHECKLIST
{You may wash to use this checSdiit after reviewing the recommendations in the preceding
chapter.)
Yes No
Q Q Do you have written procedures for proper disposal of waste peUea?
Q Q. Is direct responsibility for handling waste pellet disposal assigned to specific
individuals?
Q Q Do you use only covered consainere or vehicles without teaks when transporting
.or $KMing waste pellets?
Q Q Are waste pellets incinerated, whenever possible?
Q Q When disposing of pellets in a secure landfill, do you "make sure the pellets are
confined in such a manner that prevents their lost due to rate, wind, Hooding, etc.?
FaciMq' Location
Checklist Completed By,
Date
Responsible for Corrective Follow-up.
A-g
Ptatie Pellets is the Aquatic Environment; Sources and
-------
------- |