Honda Marine – actions

Honda’s Environmental Statement

As a responsible member of society determined to help preserve the global environment, Honda makes concerted efforts to contribute to human health and the preservation of the global environment in each phase of its corporate activities and to stay at the forefront of such endeavours.

Honda Marine manufactures and markets a complete range of outboard marine engines. Its comprehensive product line is powered exclusively by environmentally advanced 4-stroke engines.

Read about Honda and the Environment at
> http://www.honda-marine.com/why/environmental.aspx

Product Efficiency

Honda has been dedicated to producing environmentally friendly marine engines for more than 40 years. Honda is the only marine engine manufacturer in the world with every model in its range meeting the world’s toughest emissions regulations; all Honda outboards meet CARB 2008 and EPA 2006 regulations and all have the OEDA three star ultra low emission rating. No other outboard manufacturer makes all their engines to this standard. Honda has optimised the hydrodynamic efficiency of outboard motor gear cases, cavitation plates and bullets, resulting in less wetted surface, lower drag and better laminar water flow. These innovations result in reduced fuel consumption and ultimately lower exhaust gas emissions.

Honda has implemented advanced engine technologies such as VTEC Variable Cam Timing, Lean Burn Feedback and BLAST Boosted Low Speed Torque. These engineering innovations are designed to improve engine performance, reduce emissions and lower fuel consumption.

Honda’s environmental approach also incorporates appropriate management systems. In particular, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which Honda originally developed as a tool for quantitative assessment of environmental loads in all the sectors in which the company operates, enabling the development of effective environmental measures.

Honda’s advanced four-stroke technology ensures low fuel consumption without compromising performance. By comparison Honda outboards are around 50% more fuel efficient than two stroke outboards.

Honda outboard motor technology:

• VTEC is variable camshaft timing and has been developed through Honda’s Formula 1 programme. It enables an engine to deliver more power, torque and efficiency at every engine speed. It also allows the engine to operate at maximum efficiency at all times, minimising fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions
• Lean Burn Feedback adjusts the air fuel mix according to speed and load to maximise efficiency, delivering lower fuel consumption and minimising harmful exhaust gas emissions. Lean Burn Feedback offers a 14% improvement in fuel consumption over the latest direct injection two strokes and a 10% reduction over competing four stroke models
• Blast or Boosted Low Speed torque is an air-fuel-ratio linked ignition programme designed to increase acceleration at lower speeds. Blast instantly generates more torque during acceleration and pioneers a new age for four stroke outboard motors
• Hi Amp Alternators; Honda outboards feature class leading alternators with charging performance up to twice that of competitors models. In place of conventional belt driven alternators, many models feature Neodymium ACGs. Magnetised Neodymium alloy has 10 times the magnetic power of conventional ferrite magnets allowing smaller, lighter, more powerful alternators that require less engine power to operate
• Hydrodynamic Efficiency; Honda has invested heavily in the design of new gear cases, cavitation plates and bullets. These initiatives are designed to offer less hydrodynamic resistance enabling the motor to drive through the water more efficiently, and also improve propeller grip and provide smooth turning ability
• 4 Front is a four stage coating process unique to Honda. A patented double sealed, multi layered paint process, sacrificial anodes and the latest stainless steel technology combine with waterproof electronic components and connectors to offer superior resistance to the corrosive effects of the marine operating environment. 4 Front offers a longer operational life cycle than conventional outboard motors. Products that last longer have less environmental impact. Up to 90% of the motor is economically recyclable.

Environmental Activities

Every year, Honda recycles 1,500 tons of nylon fishing nets that have been discarded by the fishing industry and uses that material to manufacture various plastic parts on the BF 15 and 20 hp outboard motors. Honda outboard motors are manufactured in ISO 14001 environmentally certified factories.

Partnerships

Honda Marine is rolling out a dealer focussed sustainability initiative to ensure that wherever possible and practical all packaging is recycled or disposed of in a responsible manner. The dealer environmental initiative extends to recycling used engine oil, batteries and expended service consumables.

An energy audit will also be conducted. A pilot site is currently operational, and following an assessment of this model, the initiative will be implemented on a site by site basis. It is anticipated that some dealers may not be able to come up to the required standard, so we are committed to developing a contingency plan that will offset any potential deficit.

Shipping and Packaging

Honda Marine outboard motors are shipped to New Zealand via sea freight. Whenever possible, parts are shipped by sea freight, with airfreight used only as a last resort in critical circumstances. Honda outboard motors are shipped in cartons made from 100% recycled cardboard.

Corporate

Honda Marine is currently undergoing a fleet conversion from both petrol powered and conventional diesel powered vehicles to modern, common rail, diesel powered vehicles. Common rail, diesel vehicles emit up to 63% less carbon dioxide than petrol vehicles and post exhaust filters remove any residual particulate matter.

Paper and cardboard are recycled as are toner and printer consumables.

Tree Planting

Honda Marine is currently investigating the best way to implement a tree planting programme to offset all remaining excess emissions and fully neutralise our carbon footprint. Following the carbon footprint assessment we will be able to quantify the number and type of trees required to neutralise our carbon footprint and will set a timetable to complete that project.