Mercury invests heavily to expand renewable energy

Mercury will have three facilities in Australia powered by solar by early 2024 © Mercury Marine

Mercury Marine has underscored its commitment to sustainability with two new small-scale solar installations announced for its Australian operations.

Mercury is installing two new 100kW solar systems - one at its Australian/New Zealand head office in Dandenong South (Victoria) and another at the company's Boating Lifestyle Adventure (BLA) office in Murarrie, Brisbane (Queensland).

The Dandenong installation is projected to generate approximately 48 percent of the office's electricity needs, preventing 132 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere annually.

The Murarrie office solar system will on average meet 50 percent of the office's power demand and have the capability to supply 100 percent of power during peak times. The system will generate approximately 142,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power around 20 homes for a full year.

The continued investment in small-scale solar follows the success of a 40kW system installed at Mercury's Queensland office in Coomera last year. The system has been generating 60 percent of the facility's electricity needs.

"Installation of solar at our Queensland facility last year has been an outstanding success, the reduction in carbon emissions we're achieving illustrates the benefits of going solar," Mercury Marine Director of Strategy & Business Improvement Paul Watters said.

"We see solar, and more generally energy efficiency as an important part of our future. These new installations demonstrate our ongoing efforts to do more with less. We're also the first major marine engine manufacturer to release zero emission electric outboards with our new Avator range.

"Mercury globally has set a goal to derive 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, we plan further solar investments across our Australia operations in the future."

The Dandenong solar installation project is scheduled to be completed by early 2024, while work is already under way at BLA's Murarrie office with the system anticipated to be operational before the new year.

Waste Management

In addition to solar energy, Mercury is now trialling a Waste Management System at its Dandenong South office in line with the company's goal to have 50 percent of its global distribution centres transition to zero-waste-to-landfill facilities by 2025.

The objective is to recycle more than 90 percent of the waste generated at the Dandenong facility - significantly reducing landfill waste - with the aim to meet the recycling target by the first half of 2024.

A centralised system for recycling and organic waste has been introduced throughout the facility, with individual waste bins at desks being replaced with paper-only bins.

A comprehensive three-bin system has been implemented to separate organic waste, co-mingled recyclables - such as glass and plastic bottles, paper and cardboard - and general waste.

Mercury is also actively exploring ways to make outboard packaging fully recyclable.

"Our customers are spending their recreation time enjoying our many beautiful waterways, keeping them clean makes sense for everyone," Paul said.

The plan is to extend the waste management system to three additional sites next year.

Electric Outboards

Mercury's approach to sustainability extends beyond just its facilities, also including the products it produces.

This year, Mercury launched the next step in electric propulsion with the Avator 7.5e in January and subsequent 20e and 35e models in August.

These engines redefine marine propulsion in ways that leave a positive impact on the environment by transforming the boating experience to make it possible with no exhaust fumes and zero direct emissions. This is combined with the fact that Avator is crafted with many components that are recyclable or reusable meaning it is Mercury's most environmentally friendly outboard on the market.

The move is in line with Mercury Marine's stated commitment to meeting its fiscal responsibilities while developing and manufacturing products in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, protective of the earth's natural resources and conducive to improved quality of life for all its stakeholders.