Pictured: Latest EcoMarines Corporate Crew member Brett Bolton, Managing Director of new Manly business Freedom Boat Club, with staff member Rosie Jones. Photo: Supplied.
FROM THE ECOMARINES FOUNDATION
Local businesses can now play a role alongside Bayside schools to protect Moreton Bay from harmful pollution.
EcoMarines Foundation, an education program operating in more than 200 Queensland schools, recently launched a corporate version of its program to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices in the workplace.
EcoMarines CEO Louise Yates said the corporate program was essential if Queensland was to reduce its emissions by 30% of the pre-2005 level by 2030 and achieve its Zero emissions target by 2050.
“The EcoMarines Corporate program is easy to implement and can deliver fast results for companies looking to improve their efficiencies across a range of activities,” Ms Yates said.
“Many companies like Freedom Boat Club at Manly are keen to reduce consumption and waste within their business. Our program is a viable solution to help manage that problem.
“Better still, businesses that join will be adding to the efforts of local schools that participate in our free education programs.”
Wynnum West State School was among the first schools to enrol in the program in 2014. Deputy Principal David Brand said now, almost 10 years on, the environmental activities aimed at reducing litter and marine pollution are engrained in the everyday life of the school.
“Our environmental captains lead the school in a range of activities that engage all our students and teachers in changing the way we do things for the better.” Mr Brand said.
“Over the years, the students have helped to establish and maintain a thriving edible school garden.
“They set up a composting project to collect all our organic waste. The compost is then used to feed our garden.
“We also have ‘Wrapper-free Wednesday’ to reduce whole school lunchtime waste and recycle our bottles and cans to raise funds for charity.”
