This Sunday, 1 March, marks Clean Up Australia Day 2026, and Yamaha Motor Australia is proud to join in celebrating this important event.
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Clean Up Australia Day began in 1989, when Ian Kiernan and Kim McKay mobilised more than 40,000 volunteers who collected 5,000 tonnes of rubbish from across Australia’s urban and rural landscapes. More than three decades on, it has grown into a national movement working with businesses, community groups and government to support cleaner communities and a more sustainable future.
As part of its commitment to a cleaner environment, Yamaha Motor Australia acknowledges the efforts of its ambassadors, Yamaha-supported initiatives and partner businesses who help protect the places we ride, boat and explore, so the next generation of Yamaha customers can experience them the same way we do.
Internationally, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is committed to Acting Responsibly and addressing environmental concerns through a multi-layered approach across its core business operations, including energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction and resource conservation. Guided by its Environmental Plan 2050 , it has set a clear target of achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions (carbon neutrality) by 2050 across the entire product lifecycle, supported by accelerated action to reduce operational emissions through energy-efficiency programs and lower-carbon manufacturing initiatives. It is also making greater use of recycled and lower-impact materials, while continuing efforts to protect nature by minimising pollution and supporting biodiversity through responsible environmental management across its operations and supply chain.
Locally, Yamaha Motor Australia works on waterways and ocean health through its Rightwaters initiative, which backs organisations and projects that remove litter from marine environments and build awareness about waste entering rivers, estuaries and the ocean. It also supports grassroots initiatives such as Yamaha Ambassador Garthe Jones’ Keep Our Seaway Clean, which targets marine debris in high-use waterways. Most recently, Dr. Riley Eilliot expressed his concerns about ecosystems on the brink in the latest #UnitedByYamaha short film Ecosystems on The Brink.
On land, it supports Outback Cleanups Australia (OCA), a not-for-profit that removes rubbish from remote regions where access, logistics and safety can make clean-up work difficult. OCA’s projects focus on beaches, bushland and marine areas that sit far from regular waste services.
Waste reduction is also addressed through targeted campaigns that reinforce behaviour change, including involvement with Plastic Free July to support education and clean-up activity while drawing attention to the way plastics break down and move through waterways.
On the operational side, Yamaha Motor Australia has invested in measures that reduce day-to-day environmental impact, including the use of electric forklifts and the installation of solar panels at the Wetherill Park head office to cut grid electricity use.
While the primary objective of Clean Up Australia Day remains the removal of waste from our environment, the organisation now also strongly emphasises sustainability, recognising the importance of safeguarding our natural heritage for generations to come. While individual efforts are the cornerstone of Clean Up Australia, companies with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a Long Term Vision play a pivotal role in leading by example throughout the year.
As we celebrate Clean Up Australia Day 2026, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to preserving our planet and creating a cleaner, healthier future for all.