Nurdle (bead)

Pre-production plastic pellets, commonly known as nurdles, are tiny plastic pellets (smaller than 5 mm or 0.20 in) that are universally used in the plastics industry for the manufacture of plastic products. These microplastics are made primarily from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and other plastics or synthetic resins. Nurdles are the building block, via plastic extrusion or injection molding, for items for everyday life including plastic water bottles, containers, and bags.

Nurdles cause environmental damage where they are spilled into rivers and oceans, and eaten by birds and fish who mistake them for eggs. Creatures can be poisoned by toxins adsorbed by the plastic, which can enter the human food chain.