This Sunday, 5 March, is Clean Up Australia Day. As part of its commitment to a cleaner environment and projects that deliver sustainability, the Yamaha Motor Australia Group would like to recognise the endeavours of the Seabin Project and Outback Cleanups Australia, two organisations it supports through the Rightwaters Initiatives.
In 1989 Ian Kiernan and Kim McKay brought Clean Up Australia to life when more than 40,000 volunteers collected 5000 tonnes of rubbish spoiling our unique urban and rural landscapes. A brilliant result in a time before social media. Three decades later, the annual event has grown into a movement that works with businesses, community groups, and government departments to deliver a more sustainable future.
While the removal of rubbish from our land and waterways remains the goal of Clean Up Australia Day, the organisation now also focuses on sustainability to ensure a cleaner Australia for future generations. The efforts of individuals will always be the backbone of Clean Up Australia, but companies with Sustainable Development Goals and a workable Long Term Vision will lead by example all year round.
Yamaha Motor Company addresses environmental considerations through a range of initiatives, including energy conservation, prevention of pollution, and a reduction of waste while conserving resources through its core business. The aim of Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050 is to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions (carbon neutrality) by 2050 for the whole product life cycle.
What started more than 30 years ago as a simple idea to make a difference, has become the nation's largest community-based environmental event, encouraging businesses big and small to follow suit.