The Tragedy of the Nurdles: Governing Global Externalities

Nurdles have been referred to by some as a global environmental disaster. However, relative the controversies surrounding industrial fracking practices, such public health and safety associated with extraction of shale gas (as well oil), problems nurdles are not widely known. In this article, we highlight that interrelated: processes major source raw materials used produce nurdles, which tiny plastic pellets polluting our waters. Our contention is key question for analysis how regulate externalities downstream products produced in process. This article takes insights from Elinor Ostrom scholars Bloomington School Political Economy—such polycentricity, diversity collective action (CAPs), coproduction, institutional diversity—to analyze pollution commons problem. generate widespread, large-scale negative difficult contain address within fixed geographical boundary governed static jurisdictional authority. Using case Royal Dutch Shell cracker plant Beaver County, Pennsylvania, show present complex nested challenges require citizen monitoring playing an essential role mitigating externalities. We demonstrate efficacy applying polycentric approaches toward addressing CAPs nurdles.