Section of I-196 to Close for Nurdle Cleanup

Polystyrene pellet spill along Michigan highway impacts nearby river and wetlands.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A large spill of polystyrene plastic pellets, known as 'nurdles,' occurred along I-196 in Saugatuck, Michigan on January 27 when a semi-trailer left the roadway during snowy, icy conditions. The pellets have stretched along the freeway shoulder for at least four miles, with some sinking into the Kalamazoo River and nearby wetlands. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is overseeing cleanup efforts alongside the Michigan Department of Transportation, which plans to close a section of northbound I-196 on Thursday night to remove the largest pile and repair a damaged guardrail.

Why it matters

Nurdles are considered microplastics that can accumulate in the environment for decades and pose risks to wildlife. The spill has impacted the nearby Kalamazoo River and wetlands, requiring extensive cleanup efforts by state agencies to mitigate the environmental damage.

The details

The polystyrene pellets, used in manufacturing, were spilled when a northbound semi-trailer left the roadway near the south end of the I-196 bridge during snowy, icy conditions on January 27. EGLE says snow had largely hidden the extent of the spill until last week's thaw, revealing the pellets stretching along the freeway shoulder for at least four miles. Some of the nurdles sank in the river while others floated.

  • The spill occurred on January 27, 2026.
  • MDOT plans to close a section of northbound I-196 on Thursday night to remove the largest pile and repair a damaged guardrail.

The players

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

The state agency overseeing the cleanup efforts alongside MDOT.

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)

The state transportation agency that plans to close a section of I-196 to remove the largest pile of nurdles and repair a damaged guardrail.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

MDOT plans to close a section of northbound I-196 on Thursday night to remove the largest pile of nurdles and repair a damaged guardrail.

The takeaway

This spill of microplastic nurdles highlights the environmental risks posed by such materials, which can persist in the ecosystem for decades and harm wildlife. The extensive cleanup efforts by state agencies demonstrate the importance of mitigating the impact of such incidents to protect local waterways and natural habitats.