FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 2/05/2026
BNSF Railway, Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation,
San Diego Coastkeeper, and North County Transit District
Resolve Claims Related to Transportation of Plastic Pellets and Develop Industry-Leading Standards
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – BNSF Railway, Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, San Diego Coastkeeper, and North County Transit District are pleased to announce that the parties have reached a resolution to resolve allegations related to BNSF’s transportation of plastic pellets, also known as nurdles. Nurdles are tiny plastic beads that are the raw material for almost all plastic products. Because of their small size – approximately the size of a lentil – nurdles can be difficult to control, but even more difficult to clean up once they are released into the environment.
The parties worked collaboratively over many months to investigate and develop industry-leading standards for the safe and secure transportation of plastic pellets. As part of that collaboration, BNSF has introduced updated policies and enhanced protocols to prevent the accidental spillage or release of plastic pellets throughout the United States. The new policies require BNSF’s customers to properly seal both loaded and unloaded rail cars that transport plastic pellets. In addition, BNSF will not pick up and pull non-compliant cars and will implement escalating fees for non-compliance. BNSF has rolled out these changes nationwide and the parties are pleased to have collaborated in developing this enduring set of changes.
BNSF is also working with its industry partners, shippers and receivers of plastic pellets, and the Association of American Railroads and other industry organizations to develop best practices for the safe, secure, and sustainable transportation of plastics pellets. BNSF’s leadership on these issues is already contributing to improved standards industry-wide.
The resolution also includes a BNSF donation to support efforts local to San Diego County to address plastic pollution in the environment.
“BNSF remains dedicated to its industry-leading efforts to ensure that railroads are the most environmentally preferred mode of surface transportation and thanks CERF and Coastkeeper for the constructive collaboration to address these issues,” noted Scot Bates, Assistant Vice President, Chemicals and Plastics at BNSF.
“This is a significant win for our oceans, both locally and globally,” said Patrick McDonough, Coastkeeper’s Senior Attorney. “With an estimated 25-30 billion nurdles entering our oceans every day, we’re thrilled BNSF and NCTD have joined Coastkeeper and CERF to take a leadership role in tackling this crisis.”
“Microplastics are difficult to remove from the environment,” said Livia Beaudin, attorney for CERF. “That’s why these efforts to keep them contained and out of our sensitive watersheds are so important.”
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About BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies. BNSF operates approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and three Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food, and beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com
Media Contact: Lena Kent, (909) 386-4140, [email protected]
About San Diego Coastkeeper
San Diego Coastkeeper is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1995 to protect and restore San Diego County’s bays, beaches, watersheds, and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them. Coastkeeper balances community outreach, education, science, advocacy, and legal enforcement to promote clean water stewardship and a healthy coastal ecosystem. For more information, visit www.sdcoastkeeper.org
Media Contact: Nicky Rosenberg, (608) 556-3793, [email protected]
About Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation
CERF is an environmental nonprofit founded in 2008 by surfers in Encinitas, CA. CERF is dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of the environment, the wildlife, and the natural resources of the California Coast. For more information, visit www.cerf.org
Media Contact: Livia Borak Beaudin, (760) 514-0165, [email protected]