Q: Who are Take 3?

A: Take 3 is an Australian not-for-profit organisation, founded in 2009 by surfing enthusiast, Amanda Marechal, marine ecologist, Roberta Dixon-Valk and environmentalist, Tim Silverwood.

Take 3 are committed to reducing plastic pollution and promoting the transition to a circular economy through education and participation. Our message is simple: Take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway… or anywhere special, and you’ve made a difference.

Q: How did Take 3 come about?

A: It was a simple idea – to take 3 pieces of rubbish from the beach – that ignited the #Take3forthesea movement. The idea was born in Australia in 2008 when Mandy & Roberta had a discussion about the ever-growing problem of marine debris.

Tim joined forces with Mandy and Roberta in 2009 and the team developed a plan to take the idea to wider audiences. Take 3 officially registered as an organisation in 2010 and were soon awarded the inaugural Taronga Conservation Society’s Green Grant and a $50 000 prize. With the grant, Take 3 took flight, and began setting up education programs in NSW, Australia.

Q: What are Take 3 doing to remove plastic from the ocean?

A: Take 3 are solving the global plastic pollution problem through education and participation. To elaborate on this, Take 3 deliver education programs in local schools, early childhood learning centres, Surf Life Saving Clubs and communities. Students and participants learn about the scope of the plastic pollution problem and develop solutions they can implement to make simple changes in their lives, schools and communities to contribute to clean oceans.

Take 3 also deliver empowering education and engagement campaigns online and on social media to increase awareness of the problem and drive positive solutions.

Q: Do you physically remove plastic from the ocean?

A: Yes! Take 3 run clean up activities with a range of key stakeholders to remove harmful pollution from the environment. Take 3 utilise donations and sponsorship funds to both remove pollution from the environment and to deliver programs to reduce sources of pollution. Analyses of #take3forthesea tagged images on social media show that people remove an average of 15 pieces of rubbish from the environment each time they conduct a ‘micro clean up’. Through the #take3forthesea hashtag and future technological tools we aim to measure the removal of millions of pieces of rubbish from the environment.

Q: How can I get involved?

A: The simplest way to get involved is to share information on social media with the #take3forthesea hashtag. By sharing images of your #take3forthesea or information on the problem you will inspire others to participate. By using the #take3forthesea hashtag we can measure the reach and impact of your involvement. If you have a specific interest in becoming involved with Take 3 (or volunteering) and you live in Australia, please contact us.

Q: I don’t live in Australia, how can I get involved?

A: We urge you to share information on our organisation or photographs of your micro-clean ups with your online social media communities and become a part of our international Take 3 community. Share images and videos of your clean ups on Instagram and Facebook and tag us #Take3forthesea and @Take3forthesea! This spreads the Take 3 message and inspires others to do the same.

Q: How can I support Take 3?

A: As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on donations and support from of a range of stakeholders to help us achieve our mission of clean oceans. Donations can be made at www.take3.org/donate

All donations are allocated to activities that achieve our mission to reduce global plastic pollution.

For corporate or sponsorship enquiries, please send a detailed proposal to info@take3.org

Q: How can I donate to Take 3?

A: Thank you for donating to us! You can process your donation easily right here below…