Sydneysiders are invited to join the the annual Netherlands Waterway Cleanup
On Saturday 17 September at Tingira Memorial Park, Rose Bay, Take 3 is collaborating with the Dutch diplomatic missions in Australia for their second Waterway Cleanup. Waterway Cleanup coincides with World Clean Up day. Every year World Clean Up day empowers governments, organisations and teams of volunteers across the globe to tackle the problem of waste and build a better and more sustainable world.
Netherlands Waterway Cleanup, is a global initiative. In 2021, twenty-five Dutch embassies organised cleanups from Kazakhstan to Canada, New Zealand to Finland.
“Netherlands Waterway Cleanup is a vital and energizing public awareness campaign. If we encourage citizens across the globe to contribute with these small acts, then together we can make a difference to our environment”, said Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia H.E. Mrs. Marion Derckx.
In 2022, microplastics are the focus of this year’s Waterway Clean up. Netherlands is at the forefront of research on microplastics. Every year, 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans. Plastics do not break down. Instead, they ‘break up’ into smaller and smaller pieces, creating microplastics and nanoplastics. Both the creation and degradation of plastics releases harmful greenhouse gases which contribute to our planet’s changing climate. The goal of the clean up is to prevent microplastics from entering the environment where they can endanger wildlife and pollute groundwater.
In 2016, The Dutch consortium Momentum initiated a series of studies to research the impact of microplastics on human health, with the understanding that plastic debris has the potential to be a human health issue. These were the first projects of their kind in the world to research the possible effects of microplastics on human health. The initiative has brought together the best researchers and partners, fostered international cooperation and raised awareness of the urgency of this field of research.
Jacquie Riddell, CEO of Take 3, said, “We are delighted to host the Netherlands Waterway Cleanup. We are reminded of the problem of microplastics every time we go to the beach so we really appreciate the focus the Dutch research community is putting on understanding the possible effects of microplastics on human health.”
Register for the clean up here: Register here
Here’s what is happening on the day:
Where and when: Meet at the Take 3 for the Sea marquee in Tingira Memorial Park at 10 am.
What to wear: A clean up can be dirty work so please wear suitable clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, trousers, a hat or cap and sturdy shoes. Gloves and bags to collect the rubbish will be provided.
What to bring: We suggest you bring sunscreen, hand sanitizer and water (in a reusable bottle, please). If you’re a tea or coffee drinker, we encourage you to bring a reusable cup.
What to expect: We will walk along the Rose Bay foreshore and pick up any waste we come across. After an hour, we will regroup at the Take 3 marquee where we will collect and sort the rubbish. We will then weigh the bags. Finally, we’ll take a group photo and give each other a well-deserved socially-distanced high five!
Places are limited – don’t miss out on this opportunity to clean up our waterways . Register here.
