Shipping companies should cover the cost of the plastic 'nurdle' clean-up, the North East mayor has said.
Kim McGuinness has called on the owners of the two vessels involved in a collision on the River Tyne to "put their hands in their pocket" and help pay for the environmental response.
The incident resulted in the spillage of up to 25 tonnes of plastic nurdles, sparking what is believed to be the worst incident of nurdle pollution in Europe.
Ms McGuinness said: "Our coastline is the North East’s most precious asset.
"Yesterday I met with the Port of Tyne after the devastating nurdle spillage we’ve all seen washing up on our shores.
"Our councils have launched thorough clean-up operations north and south of the Tyne, but we don’t yet know how big a threat these millions of plastic pellets could be to our beautiful beaches and wildlife.
"People rightly want to volunteer to help save the coastline they’re proud of – with local councils we’ll be giving more information on how to do this safely early next week as soon as the right equipment arrives."
The mayor confirmed she has contacted shipping companies Cadeler and BG Freight Line, urging them not to wait for the outcome of the investigation before providing cash and resources for the local clean-up.
Ms McGuinness said: "Sadly, it is already clear this looks like the worst incident of nurdle pollution in Europe, and our clean-up will be long and expensive.
"We must start from the principle that the polluter should pay, so North East taxpayers do not end up footing the bill.
"I have today written to the owners of both vessels involved in the collision on the Tyne this week to act now, put their hands in their pocket right now and support the clean up.
"Cadeler and BG Freight Line must help us limit the environmental damage today, not wait for the outcome of what will be a long investigation."
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The clean-up operation covers areas from southern Northumberland to Sunderland, with particularly heavy contamination reported on beaches in North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
Residents are being told not to touch the nurdles and to leave the clean-up to trained teams using specialist equipment.
Ms McGuinness also thanked "everyone stepping up to protect the coastline we all love," including council workers and environmental experts leading clean-up work.
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