A new environmental program giving Surf Life Saving clubs across NSW the unique opportunity to get on the front foot in the fight against litter and plastic pollution has launched state-wide, following an extensive trial period on the South Coast.
Piloted by Shoalhaven Heads SLSC, Sussex Inlet SLSC and Basin Community Nippers Clubs last year, the ‘Take 3 For The Sea’ Surf Life Saving Club Program empowers clubs and their communities to be part of the solution to litter and plastic pollution – an issue of global importance.
Through their new online resources and educational videos, the program aims to educate on the impact of plastic pollution on coastal and marine environments, and provide tangible, actionable solutions.
“To date, Take 3’s SLSC program has been delivered to more than 40 surf clubs around Australia, and has seen major positive impacts as a result,” Take 3 For The Sea CEO, Sarah Beard said.
“We’ve cleaned 1.7 million square metres of beach around Australia and removed 9,700 tonnes of rubbish from those sites.
“Take 3 expects to see these impacts multiplied greatly in the years to come, thanks to the accessibility of the new program’s online format.”
The Program is built around five key pillars – educating clubs on litter in the environment, teaching them how to run their own beach clean-up, teaching them how to create and apply litter reduction ideas, implementing litter enforcement, in conjunction with the local council and the Hey Tosser! Campaign, and the importance of data collection.
Clubs can commit to one of four levels – bronze, silver, gold and ‘Local Litter Champions’ – and will be supported by local council and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“The support from the EPA’s Community Litter Grant to take our SLSC program online is testimony to the huge success the Take 3 SLSC program has already experienced across the state, particularly here in the Shoalhaven, with the ongoing backing from the Shoalhaven City Council,” South Coast Take 3 Ambassador, Monica Mudge said following the successful pilot in the region.
“This program is a great way to connect with your local council. The Shoalhaven City Council supported surf clubs with their Take 3 projects by providing murals, signage and support.”
Newport SLSC on Sydney’s Northern Beaches is one of the first clubs to join the Program, led by Ironwoman and club athlete, Lizzie Welborn.
She believes it’s important to be passionate about doing your part for the environment.
“At Newport, we are very passionate about protecting our precious beach,” she said.
“It has given us so much, so we want to ensure that we are giving back to it.”
Interested clubs can visit the Take 3 website at www.take3.org or email slsc@take3.org
Thursday 28 April 2022