Take 3 for the Sea Byron – a new campaign to reduce plastic pollution

Published on 12 November 2019

Byron Shire Council today launched a new, innovative litter reduction campaign in conjunction with Take 3 for the Sea, a not-for-profit organisation working towards reducing plastic pollution.

Take 3 for the Sea Byron has the simple message of getting people to take three pieces of rubbish when the leave the beach, river, creek – anywhere. 

Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said the Take 3 campaign is brilliant in its simplicity.

“Take 3 for the Sea is such an easy message for people to understand and act on – it’s something everyone, regardless of their age can do,” Mayor Richardson said.

“To be able to join forces with the Take 3 organisation is fantastic because they are very well-known in Australia, and internationally.

“Take 3 for the Sea is a message as much for our community as it is for visitors and with the power of social media, and the support of some high profile local businesses and individuals, we are confident it will be well-received and effective,”.

“I would love to see local schools join the campaign, with students pushing the message out through their extensive social media accounts,” he said.

A key component of the campaign will be targeting the more than two million visitors who come to the Byron Shire every year.

“People come to the Byron Shire because of our clean beaches and waterways and pristine bush and this campaign encourages tourists to play a small, but vital part, in keeping it beautiful,” Mayor Richardson said.

Tim Silverwood, CEO and co-founder of Take 3 for the Sea, said the new alliance with Byron Shire Council was exciting.

“It’s great to see the Council looking for new solutions to the massive problem of marine and plastic pollution and creating awareness of the devastating impacts of single-use plastics.

“Often people think that something like plastic pollution is so big that they can’t make a difference and that’s where they’re wrong.

“We can all play a part and together with Council, the Byron Shire community, and the visitors who come to Byron, collectively taking 3 for the sea will make a real difference,” Mr Silverwood said.

Take 3 for the Sea Byron will run for three months over the busy summer period and follows Council’s successful Butt Free Byron Shire campaign which ran in 2018/19.

For more information contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.