If someone asked you to describe the beach, what are some words that come to mind? Sand, salt, sun, waves? There is an endless list of beautiful words. Unfortunately, there is one nasty word that jumps straight to the front of my mind. Plastic. Plastic pollution is slowly and sadly becoming a common part of the beach. There is no way you can go to a beach now, and not find litter. Bottles and plastic wrappers are scattered in the dunes and microplastic is hidden in the sand. We all know plastic doesn’t belong on our beaches, but how do we even begin to tackle the enormous task of preventing this from happening?
Introducing: Take 3 for the Sea! Take 3 is a non-profit organisation leading action on protecting oceans, with a mission to reduce global plastic pollution through education that inspires action. Their simple call to action encourages individuals to Take 3 pieces of rubbish before leaving the beach, waterway or… anywhere. Their global #Take3fortheSea campaign has seen over 30 million pieces of rubbish removed from the environment so far and has sparked community action in 129 countries.
Take 3 spread this message through a range of education programs, and I am so excited to share our latest initiative with you. With the support of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) through the Community Litter Grant program, Take 3 have a new Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) program. The new Take 3 SLSC program is now completely online, making it easier than ever for surf clubs to access. The program empowers SLSCs and their members to be part of the solution to litter prevention by providing access to educational and practical resources.
I am a member of Newport SLSC. Being part of the surf club has given me so much, including a deep respect and love for the ocean that surrounds us. The ocean has brought our surf club community together, allowing us to connect and enjoy our passions together. I feel I have a responsibility to give back to and protect my beach. As surf lifesavers, we have been there for people at the beach who need our help, but now it is the ocean that needs our help.
The Northern Beaches are home to 21 surf clubs that connect thousands of people to the ocean. These surf clubs sit on the front line of ocean pollution and have the potential to make significant positive change on this issue. Imagine how much litter we could collect and prevent from our beautiful beaches if we all work together on this issue! We really do have the most beautiful beaches on the NSW coast (maybe even Australia!) and they deserve
to be protected.
Take 3 is offering FREE clean up kits to the first surf clubs that partner with the program. The program offers four levels of partnership for surf clubs to choose from: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Local Litter Champions. This gives surf clubs the freedom to start small or jump straight into taking positive steps towards litter reduction.
If you are a surf club member and would like to partner with the Take 3 program, please contact Lizzy at slsc@take3.org.
For more information on Take 3 and their other initiatives, go to www.take3.org.
For information on the EPA, go to www.dontbeatosser.epa.nsw.gov.au/
This is a Waste Less Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy.