Yamaha Rightwaters™ Sponsors University of Georgia Capstone Course to Enhance Plastics Recycling Program

KENNESAW, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yamaha Rightwaters joined forces with the University of Georgia^® (UGA^®) to sponsor a Sustainability Certificate Capstone Project focused on enhancing its current plastics recycling program. Sustainability Certificate Capstone Projects help clients address pressing sustainability challenges while providing students with an opportunity to apply their academic learning and develop valuable skills.

Capstone teams are typically made up of 3-5 students from over 70 majors, overseen by a faculty mentor to ensure quality and provide expertise. UGA students Maci Willets and Elizabeth Finely, both of whom are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Ecology, are the two students currently working to earn Sustainability Certificates through the Yamaha Rightwaters Capstone Project.

“This project builds off of the success of the Yamaha Rightwaters plastics recycling program and allows these two students to work with dealerships, boat builders, and other Yamaha customers to collect supply chain plastic and redirect it towards productive uses,” said Joshua Grier, Sustainability Manager. “The students will help identify and catalog our largest producers as well as calculate the impacts of our diversions. By identifying recycling partners and processors near to our largest plastic waste generators, we can minimize secondary emissions and strengthen relationships within our dealer and boat builder communities. We look forward to working with Maci and Elizabeth and we’re eager to see how they can help us move the project forward.”

The Interdisciplinary Certificate in Sustainability the students will earn through the Capstone program is designed to equip them with skills to make significant, systemic changes in their communities, paving the way for a more sustainable future. Through the process of obtaining the sustainability certificate, students gain knowledge about the myriad of issues pertaining to sustainability, achieve enlightened perspectives about what sustainability means for individuals, communities, and the world, and acquire experience applying this understanding to meaningful, real-world situations.

Yamaha Rightwaters is a national sustainability program that encompasses all of Yamaha Marine’s conservation and water quality efforts. Program initiatives include habitat restoration, support for scientific research, mitigation of invasive species, the reduction of marine debris and environmental stewardship education. Yamaha Rightwaters reinforces Yamaha’s long-standing history of natural resource conservation, support of sustainable recreational fishing and water resources and Angler Code of Ethics, which requires pro anglers to adhere to principles of stewardship for all marine resources.

Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., markets and sells marine outboard motors ranging in size from 2.5 to 450 horsepower. It also markets and sells fiberglass, jet-drive sport boats ranging from 19 to 27 feet, and personal watercraft. The unit includes manufacturing divisions of Yamaha Marine Systems Co., Inc., including Kracor of Milwaukee (rotational molding), Bennett Marine of Deerfield Beach, Fla. (trim tabs), and Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers of Indianapolis (stainless steel propellers). Yamaha Marine Group is a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., based in Cypress, Calif.

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.

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