The Yamaha Rightwaters recycling program, launched by the Yamaha Corp., Hamamatsu, Japan, has announced that it returned more than 10,000 pounds of polyethylene and polypropylene sheet plastics back to base materials during 2021. - RecyclingToday

Polyethylene and polypropylene constitute a substantial portion of the plastic in our oceans harming fish populations,. This pilot program proves these plastics can be broken down in a cost-effective manner that Yamaha Rightwaters can potentially replicate on a national level. It also demonstrates that Yamaha builder and dealer partners are willing to become active participants in the program, further underscoring a marine industry commitment to conservation and sustainability.

Martin Peters, the Government Relations Division manager for the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit

Yamaha announced the program last year and works with Nexus of Atlanta and Tommy Nobis Enterprises of Marietta, Georgia, to develop a larger national program intended to reduce plastic waste in America’s waterways.

Yamaha says it developed a reverse logistics program to return the protective covers from select boat builders, retail dealers and its three boat production facilities. The sheet plastic used in the pilot program comes from protective boat covers made by various manufacturers, including Yamaha.

The materials ship to Tommy Nobis Enterprises, which separates recyclable plastics from other materials, such as plastic zippers, cords and eyelets. Tommy Nobis Enterprises then ships the feedstock to Nexus for processing into raw materials, which range from gasses to waxes. Those raw materials are used for other products.

According to a news release from Yamaha, the program is expected to expand this year.