Suzuki Motor Corporation started production of 5 mid-size outboard motors with the world’s first Micro-Plastic Collecting Device as standard equipment in July. The product will be shipped worldwide, including to major markets such as North America and Europe.
A huge amount of marine plastic waste that flow into the ocean has become a significant environmental issue in the recent years, and micro-plastics that are further crushed in the natural environment are concerned to have an impact on ecosystems. To tackle these issues, in October 2020 Suzuki announced the development of a Micro-Plastic Collecting Device which can be equipped to outboard motors. By installing this device to outboard motors, micro-plastics near the water surface can be collected simply by running the boat.
After the announcement, monitoring surveys were conducted in 14 countries, including Japan, the United States and Europe, and improvements were made to the device. In July 2022, 5 models (DF140BG, DF115BG, DF140B, DF115B, and DF100C) have started production with the device as standard equipment.
The installation of this device on outboard motors is one of the three activities of the SUZUKI CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT, which is Suzuki’s commitment to address the marine plastics issue.
Overview of SUZUKI CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT
1. Clean-Up the World Campaign
A volunteer waterside clean-up campaign by Suzuki Group employees and partners, conducted from 2011. Until March 2022, 53 distributors and more than 10,000 people worldwide have participated in total. From this year we will expand and further continue the campaign.
2. Reduce plastic packaging
Suzuki aims to reduce the plastic packaging for outboard motors and genuine parts, under the keywords “1) Can we stop using it? 2) Can we reduce the amount? 3) Can we replace it with materials of less environmental impact?”. Since its start in October 2020, we have avoided using over 11t in plastic packaging. We aim to further reduce plastics in 2022 by increasing the number of applicable products and genuine parts.
3. Collect marine-plastic waste (equipment of the Micro-Plastic Collecting Device)
Suzuki aims for the further improvement of marine environment and the realization of a sustainable society, by promoting the SUZUKI CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT, along with our customers all over the world.
