On April 25, 2026, environmental warriors gathered in Citrus County to educate residents about the dangers of nurdles and other pollutants on roads and waters. Chuck Hutterli, who helped clean up nurdles from the North Shore of Lake Superior, brought his passion for environmental preservation to Citrus County. He designed a special shovel to scoop up the plastic pellets and protested to local governments.
Hutterli, who moved to Florida four years ago, brought samples of the nurdles to Citrus County to raise awareness. The plastic pellets, often made from polyethylene or polypropylene, can cause great harm when wildlife mistakenly eat them. Hutterli got involved in getting TOO FAR Water and Natural Resource Foundation to join the county’s Adopt-a-Highway program. The organization aims to keep roads and waters clean and educate residents about the importance of environmental preservation.
Nurdles are plastic pellets about one-quarter-inch big that are used in manufacturing many plastic items. They can be easily mistaken for seeds or fish eggs by fish, birds, and other wildlife, often resulting in death. The pellets have been found in various water bodies, including Lake Superior, where Hutterli lived. He shared his experience and knowledge with the Citrus County community, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the environment.
Residents can get involved in keeping their community clean by joining the Adopt-a-Highway program or participating in local clean-up events. More information can be found on the TOO FAR Water and Natural Resource Foundation website or by contacting local environmental organizations.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
Sources: Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
