New online resource: Interactive map reveals locations of plastic production facilities in Illinois

CHICAGO — Plastic pellets and microplastics that pollute the Great Lakes and our rivers and other waterways pose environmental and potential public health threats. To make Americans aware of these dangers close to home, on Wednesday, Environment Illinois and Illinois PIRG unveiled a new map.

The map, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data, shows facilities that produce plastic pellets and other pre-production microplastics used to create larger everyday plastic items. Researchers confirmed that at least 141 total “Tier 1” facilities nationwide produce such microplastics including seven facilities in Illinois. Six of the seven states that border the Great Lakes have at least one facility that produces pre-production microplastic. Another 193 “Tier 2” facilities nationally are owned by a company or parent company that produces pre-production microplastic, but there was insufficient publicly available information to confirm if the particular facility produces pre-production microplastic. These facilities are located in 33 states and within 72% of the water basins in the continental United States.

“Plastic pellets have become ubiquitous in the landscape of too many of our communities,” said Illinois PIRG’s State Director Abe Scarr. “I’m hoping this resource will help folks learn more about plastic manufacturing and potential pollution sources within their community.” 

Pre-production microplastics can come in powder, flake or pellet form. Plastic pellets, also known as “nurdles,” are one of the most common forms. They are melted and molded into finished plastic products the general public sees and uses. The other forms go through similar processes.

Due to their small size and light weight, plastic pellets are easily spilled. They accumulate in waterways where they can leach toxic additives as well as absorb toxic chemicals, including DDT, PCBs, and mercury already in the water. 

That’s dangerous for birds, turtles and fish, who may mistakenly think the pellets are food such as fish eggs or tadpoles. 

“Plastic pellets may be tiny, but they pose a huge threat to wildlife,” said Environment Illinois’s Outreach & Engagement Manager Emily Kowalski. “Turtles, birds and fish need lakes and streams free from microplastic pollution, but if they live near one of these plastic-producing plants, they could be at risk. That’s why we’re calling on Congress to pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act to stop facilities from dumping or spilling pellets into our waterways.”  

Sen. Dick Durbin introduced the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act which would ban discharges of plastic pellets from facilities or sources that make, use, package or transport them. With bipartisan co-sponsorship from 78 representatives and eight senators, the bill has been referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees in each house of Congress. 

“The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act is an important step in addressing the plastic problem that is plaguing our nation’s waterways and wildlife. The interactive map produced by Environment Illinois and Illinois PIRG reveals the locations of plastic production facilities in Illinois and further underscores the need for this critical legislation that will help protect our environment from plastic pollution,” said Durbin.

While the legislation is pending, community scientists are gathering data about plastic pellets. This new map can help people find good places for nurdle hunts. These eyes-on-the-ground events across the country, where volunteers comb waterways for microplastics, have proven how pervasive plastic pollution has become.