Settlement Reached Over Plastic Nurdle Spills from Trains Near San Diego Coast

BNSF Railway agrees to new inspection procedures and monitoring to prevent leaks of plastic pellets into the ocean.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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After nearly two years of litigation, San Diego Coastkeeper has reached a settlement with BNSF Railway to address concerns over plastic nurdles, small plastic pellets used to make everyday products, leaking from trains and entering the ocean near the San Diego coast. The settlement requires BNSF to implement new inspection procedures and rules to prevent leaks, as well as monitor three locations over the next year to determine if nurdles continue to be dropped along the railways.

Why it matters

Plastic nurdles can harm marine life and potentially impact human health if they make their way into the food chain. This settlement aims to reduce the amount of plastic pollution entering the ocean from train transport in the San Diego area.

The details

The lawsuit was first announced in 2024, when San Diego Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation sued BNSF over the alleged release of nurdles along railway lines near the coast. As part of the settlement, BNSF agreed to implement new inspection procedures and rules to better seal railcars transporting nurdles and prevent leaks. The agreement also includes selecting three locations to monitor over the next year to determine whether nurdles continue to be dropped along the railways.

  • The lawsuit was first announced in 2024.
  • The settlement was reached in February 2026.

The players

San Diego Coastkeeper

A nonprofit organization focused on protecting the San Diego region's coastal and inland water resources.

BNSF Railway

One of the largest freight railroad networks in North America, operating across the western United States.

Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation

A nonprofit organization that works to protect the environment and natural resources of coastal communities.

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What they’re saying

“We are very happy with the settlement.”

— Phillip Musegaas, Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper

“They've agreed if they find a railcar that is leaking, they're not going to take that railcar and put it on their train.”

— Phillip Musegaas, Executive Director of San Diego Coastkeeper

What’s next

Over the next year, three locations will be monitored to determine if nurdles continue to be dropped along the railways near the San Diego coast.

The takeaway

This settlement represents an important step in reducing plastic pollution from train transport in the San Diego region, which can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and potentially human health. It demonstrates the power of community organizations working with companies to find solutions to environmental challenges.