A nurdle is the blob of toothpaste shaped like a wave, sitting on your toothbrush, most often depicted on toothbrush advertising and packaging. A nurdle is placed attractively on a toothbrush’s bristles to showcase the product and show the consumer how much to use. Two toothpaste companies actually were involved in a lawsuit over the use of the term, as GlaxoSmithKline claimed they had patented its use, suing Colgate Palmolive. More commonly, however, a nurdle is a small piece of plastic used to manufacture plastic materials. This raw material is the basis for most plastic items. As plastic breaks down, the tiny pieces carried in the oceans are called nurdles and are harmful to sea life.