Image Credits: portoftyne Around one billion plastic pellets used to make plastic products spilled into the River Tyne after a cargo vessel collided with a berthed container ship at the Port of Tyne. The spill happened on Sunday when the Wind Orca struck the berthed container ship BG Orange. The collision also caused a dockside gantry crane to collapse, and one person was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Environmental charity Fidra said up to 25 tonnes of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, entered the river. The pellets, usually between 1 mm and 5 mm in size, are the raw material used to manufacture most plastic products. The Port of Tyne said it activated its response plan as soon as it became aware of the scale of the spill. Cleanup and salvage work is continuing alongside efforts to keep port operations running. South Tyneside Council said nurdles have washed up on South Shields beach and urged people not to handle them. Dog owners have also been advised to keep their pets on leads in affected areas. Image Credits: portoftyne Although the pellets are not toxic, they can absorb pollutants in the water and are extremely difficult to remove once they enter the environment. Per reports, the pollution has spread farther than first thought. Its global nurdle map has recorded sightings as far south as Sunderland, about 7 miles (11 km) from South Shields. HM Coastguard said it is supporting local authorities responding to pollution along parts of the North Tyneside coastline, including Tynemouth Longsands, Cullercoats and King Edward’s Bay. The spill occurred less than 3 miles (4.8 km) from Marsden Bay, one of England’s most important seabird breeding sites. Wildlife experts say birds and marine animals often mistake nurdles for food. The pellets have previously been found in the stomachs and digestive tracts of seabirds in the North Sea and Australia, as well as green turtles and fish off the coast of Brazil. Local resident Alistair Lead