The Coast is turning greener. Take 3 for the Sea scoops global award.

WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

Hot on the heels of the Central Coast being listed in the Top 100 Green Destinations globally, local charity Take 3 for the Sea has won a coveted sustainability award at the 23rd Energy Globe World Award in Vienna recently.

The award recognises Take 3’s commitment to collecting waste from Australia’s waterways and its focus on educating young people. Although Take 3 started in 2009 with the simple message of picking up three pieces of plastic from the beach when you visit, it has morphed into a global phenomenon with active participants in 129 countries, an initiative that local residents can be proud of.

Take 3 for the Sea Co-Founder Roberta Dixon-Valk says the award also acknowledges how plastic contributes to the wider issue of climate change.

‘Plastic is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gases … it is one of the most energy intensive materials to produce,’ says Roberta, who is also Take 3’s Head of Research Development and Innovation.

On a personal level, Roberta says she was overwhelmed to win the award.

‘It’s a really powerful message to be able to take back [to Australia], that the world is looking at us and saying “yes, what you’re doing is good”.

‘A lot of people have been putting in a lot of hours as volunteers initially and then as paid staff … you feel validated, you feel vindicated …’

Most recently, Take 3 partnered with the NSW Environment Protection Authority to spread the word about the single-use plastic ban that came into effect in November. Looking ahead, Take 3 will be moving from ‘saltwater to freshwater’, working with Indigenous communities to reduce waste. The team will also expand its involvement in the tourism industry to encourage more businesses to implement eco-measures.

Her message? ‘We don’t need everyone to be doing things perfectly, we just need everyone to be doing what they can.’ lovecentralcoast.com/news/green-destinations-top-100-list take3.org

Let’s cherish the natural beauty of our region.