Take 3 for the Sea named a sustainability partner to help reduce reliance on single use plastics in their communities

As Plastic Free July begins, Take 3 is being supported by the NSW Government to deliver grassroots community-led actions to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and change our habits.

Minister for Environment James Griffin congratulated Take 3, and said the NSW Government is delivering funding to community champions to help inspire others.

“The NSW Government is on a mission to reduce our reliance on problematic single-use plastics because we need to seriously decrease the amount of plastic entering our environment as litter or landfill,” Mr Griffin said.

“To coincide with Plastic Free July, we’re delivering almost $900,000 in funding support for 17 organisations to educate communities. As we pivot away from single-use plastics, these community partnerships will help drive necessary change.”

Each partner will lead a project aimed at educating and changing behaviours in their community. 

Janet Aitchison of Take 3 explained that their project will focus on inspiring the owners, employees and customers of small businesses within the hospitality industry to move away from single-use plastics and towards more sustainable alternatives. 

“We will be using our proven expertise in visual storytelling to help the owners, employees and customers of takeaways, cafes and restaurants feel a sense of excitement and pride as they transition away from single-use plastics. We’re passionate about sustainability, and eager to help change habits and drive sustainable practices at a local level”, said Janet Aitchison.

From 1 June, lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned in NSW. From November, the NSW Government is banning additional single-use items, including plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds, expanded polystyrene foodware and cups, as well as rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

The ban will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in NSW over the next 20 years

These partnerships build on the extensive campaign by the NSW Government to ensure small businesses and the community are ready for the changes. The National Retail Association (NRA) is also delivering a comprehensive retailer education campaign.

For more information about the NSW plastics ban, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban

For more information about Take 3 for the sea, visit https://www.take3.org/