In an animation, Andy, a garbologist with brown hair and a beard, drives a small truck through a garbage dump. The truck's roof has a propeller and a solar panel. A wide broom is on the truck's underside. On the side are a tool panel, a vacuum hose, a garbage bin, recycling bins for food and electronic waste, and a blue bin for paper, cans, and bottles.

[Upbeat music plays, tires screeching]

Andy says, YOU WANNA KNOW A SECRET? SOME OF THE BEST STORIES CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR STINKY, SLIMY, ROTTEN TRASH. DON'T BELIEVE ME? CHECK THIS OUT!

The truck takes off. Smiling garbage gathers.

Title: Garbology.

[Whirring, upbeat music continues]

On a beach, Andy runs to a picnic table. In the distance, the Toronto skyline features the C.N. Tower, the curved city hall buildings, and the domed Rogers Centre.

Andy says, TODAY, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO THE... THE, UH... WHAT ARE YOU EXACTLY?

A small blue plastic pellet rests on the picnic table.

The Nurdle says, I'M A NURDLE!

Andy says, A WHAT NOW?

The Nurdle says, I'M A PLASTIC, OR I'M A STRAW.

The Nurdle says, turns into a plastic bag, a straw, and a computer keyboard.

[Whooshing]

Andy asks, YOU ARE?

The Nurdle says, WOULD YOU BELIEVE ME IF I TOLD YOU THAT I WAS ALSO A COMPUTER KEYBOARD?

Andy says, NO, I WOULD NOT.

The Nurdle turns into a Christmas tree with lights and then changes to a plastic pellet.

The Nurdle says, HOW ABOUT A FAKE CHRISTMAS TREE? I AM ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND YET I AM NONE OF THOSE THINGS.

Andy says, I'M SO CONFUSED.

The Nurdle says, WELL, I COULD CALL MYSELF A PREPRODUCTION PLASTIC PELLET, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME RING, YOU KNOW?

Andy says, UH-HUH, SO YOU'RE THE PLASTIC BEFORE IT GETS HEATED AND RESHAPED INTO ALL OF THOSE OBJECTS?

The Nurdle says, EXACTLY! ALL OF THOSE OBJECTS AND SO MANY MORE. WATER BOTTLES, FOOD WRAPPERS, CAR PARTS...

A water bottle, a food package, and a car appear as the Nurdle speaks. A gull lands on the picnic table beside the Nurdle.

[Slide whistles]

Andy asks, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE'S DONE WITH THESE THINGS?

The Nurdle says, IT DEPENDS. THE GOOD NEWS IS IF THEY'RE RECYCLED, THEY CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO MORE NURDLES AND MADE INTO NEW OBJECTS.

A water bottle breaks into a pile of Nurdles, which turn into straws.

[Rustling]

Andy asks, AND IF NOT?

The Nurdle says, WE POLLUTE BEACHES, CHOKE SEAGULLS, POISON DOLPHINS...

The gull picks the Nurdle up, and then drops them and takes off.

[Alarmed cry, flapping]

Andy says, OH NO.

Nurdles sink in the ocean and break down into smaller Nurdles.

[Nurdles cheering, rustling]

The Nurdle continues, AND ONCE WE'RE IN THE OCEAN, WE CAN BREAK DOWN INTO EVEN SMALLER PIECES OF PLASTIC. THESE MICROPLASTICS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN UP, AND REALLY TOXIC TOO. WE ACT LIKE A SPONGE IN THE OCEAN, SOAKING UP ALL THE TOXIC STUFF IN THE WATER, THEN FISH EAT US AND YOU EAT THE FISH.

Andy says, YUCK! IT'S AMAZING THAT SOMETHING SO SMALL CAN BE SO DESTRUCTIVE. SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T, YOU KNOW, DESTROY THE WORLD?

The Nurdle says, STOP USING SINGLE-USE ITEMS LIKE PLASTIC BAGS AND STRAWS, FIND ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC LIKE WOODEN TOYS, AND DON'T FORGET TO RECYCLE ME PROPERLY!

A plastic bag and two pink straws appear. A wooden toy car and a wooden toy horse appear.

[Popping]

Andy says, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. REMEMBER: REDUCE, RECYCLE, AND RE-NURDLE.

Andy’s truck drives to the picnic bench.

[Whirring, upbeat music plays]

The Nurdle says, GUESS WHAT I AM NOW?

The Nurdle turns into a turtle.

Andy asks, NURDLE THE TURTLE?

The Nurdle says, YOU FINALLY GET ME!

Andy jumps into his truck.

Andy says, SMELL YOU LATER.

[Whirring]

[Upbeat music plays]

End credits. Executive Producers: Jonas Diamond, Andrew Nisker. Produced and Voice Directed by Jeremy Diamond. Director: Luke Coleman. Animation Director: Darien Ardell. Produced in Association with T.V.O. Kids. Kirsten Hurd, Executive Producer, T.V.O. Kids. Logos: T.V.O. Kids, Take Action Films, Smiley Guy Studios. Copyright 2024 Garbage Man Productions Incorporated, Smiley Guy Seen Incorporated.