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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Helena Horton Environment reporter

What are bio-beads used for and how did they get spilled on to Camber Sands beach?

Collected bio-beads in a dustpan seen on the sand
Bio-beads are tiny plastic pellets. Southern Water took the blame for the recent spillage on Camber Sands, East Sussex. Photograph: Strandliners

Millions of toxic plastic beads were spilled on to Camber Sands beach, in East Sussex, a few days ago, putting wildlife at risk in what the local MP called an “environmental catastrophe”.

Southern Water, the local water company, has taken responsibility for the spill after a mechanical failure at one of its treatment plants, which caused the beads to be released.

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