NatureNow

How a land-locked city tackles ocean plastic pollution

Plastic pollution choking our oceans is everyone’s problem – even residents who live a long way from the shore.

Environmentalist Tim Silverwood has inspired the world as a co-founder of the Take 3 for the Sea movement.

When he came to Ipswich it was to bring even more people on board and learn how they can reduce plastic pollution and do more to protect the environment and wildlife.

The Take 3 idea is simple – take three pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or anywhere outdoors, and you will have made a difference.

Mr Silverwood spread the word at a series of free events in the Greater Springfield region, in collaboration with Brentwood Forest by AVID Property Group.

“We are at a point in time where schools, businesses and the wider community need to all work together to protect the environment for our future,” he said.

One of the main events was a community clean-up at Tucker Family Park and surrounding bushland with residents of Brentwood Forest and the Greater Springfield community.

In just an hour a wide range of rubbish was collected and brought back for an audit.

AVID Queensland General Manager Bruce Harper, who was part of the clean-up effort, said the Take 3 message was relatable for people living in Brentwood Forest, which has a number of watercourses that lead directly into creek areas, then into the river and beyond.

“It was quite shocking the amount of waste, from drink cans, to straws, to construction materials, to plastic bags,” he said.

Mr Harper said while the visit by Tim Silverwood was a one-time event, the Take 3 campaign “is something we hope will become regular events that will inspire the community to look after the area they will inherit”.

“It’s always interesting to see how many people are actively engaged and want to do things to improve their environment,” he said.

Mr Silverwood’s visit also included a trip to Bellbird Park State Secondary College where he spoke with more than 70 Year 7 and 8 science students on the issue of plastic pollution and the message behind #Take3.

There was an exclusive film screening and Q&A session of the award-winning documentary, Blue, at Event Cinemas Springfield. Capturing the shocking effect plastic pollution has on our oceans and marine life, the environmental film shed a light on how important it is to reduce plastic pollution on land in order to protect the oceans.

 

Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway or anywhere special and you’ve made a difference.

#Take3forthesea

Take3.org

Ipswich First is community news - rubbish free!

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