Clean Wake Program Targets Ontario Cottage Owners

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Fuel leaking from old engine into lake

That old two-stroke outboard motor may have come with the cottage or was passed on from a family member or friend, but it is releasing harmful pollutants into the lake.

Toronto, Ontario (PRWEB) May 06, 2014

Summerhill Impact, in partnership with Environment Canada and Honda Canada Inc., has launched the 2014 Clean Wake Program in Ontario just in time for the start of cottage season. Clean Wake offers recreational boaters a chance to trade-in their old polluting conventional two-stroke outboard engines in exchange for a ten percent discount towards the purchase of a new Honda four-stroke outboard engine. All old and inefficient two-stroke engines collected will be responsibly recycled through certified auto recyclers.

“Many boaters don’t know how much harm and impact their old conventional two-stroke motor causes,” says Heather Farquharson, Managing Director of Summerhill Impact. “That old two-stroke outboard motor may have come with the cottage or was passed on from a family member or friend, but it is releasing harmful pollutants into the lake."

As the Victoria Day holiday weekend approaches, thousands of Ontarians will be heading to cottage country to open up and clean up their properties. Clean Wake is asking that they also consider cleaning up their boat’s engine.

What’s so bad about old conventional two-stroke outboard engines? As much as 30 percent of the fuel passes through the combustion chamber unburned, and goes directly into the water – that is equivalent to pouring one third of the fuel straight into the lake! In addition to water pollution, running an old conventional two-stroke engine releases smog-forming emissions that are harmful to the environment and our health.

Switching to a new four-stroke outboard engine means a substantial reduction in fuel costs and a significant reduction in air and water pollution compared to an old conventional two-stroke engine.

Compared to conventional two-stroke engines, four-stroke outboard engines are:

•     90% cleaner
•     50% more fuel efficient
•     50% quieter

“Honda has been the leader in the development of four-stroke outboard motors which run quieter, burn cleaner and offer greater fuel economy,” says Ab Ghaznavi, Manager of Power Equipment & Marine Sales at Honda Canada. “Our Power Up Marine retail incentives along with the Clean Wake program provide consumers with great options. As Honda Marine celebrates its 50th anniversary, we’re excited to offer the Clean Wake program, enabling boaters in Ontario to reduce their impact while out on our lakes.”

Program Details:

•     Participants get a 10% discount towards the purchase of a new Honda four-stroke outboard engine when they trade in an old two-stroke outboard engine.
•     Program is available at any Ontario Honda Marine dealer.
•     The old engine is responsibly recycled through a certified local auto recycler, ensuring the engine is never used again. The recycling process happens in two stages – the pre-treatment drainage of operating fluids and then the recycling of materials.

”Everyone loves getting out on the lakes in the summer,” says Heather Farquharson. “This program really provides an opportunity to educate recreational boaters to be mindful of their boating impacts.”

Clean Wake was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of the Environment.

For more info visit http://www.cleanwake.ca.

About Summerhill Impact
Summerhill Impact is a not-for-profit organization focused on creating and facilitating public engagement programs related to positive environmental and health impacts. Summerhill Impact provides an opportunity for multi-sector partners, across public, private, academic and non-profit channels, to empower individuals through behavior change programs to affect positive environmental and health benefit. Visit http://www.summerhillimpact.org.

About Honda Canada Inc.
Honda has more four-stroke marine experience than anyone, with engines inspired by their legendary automotive technology. Since 1964, Honda has pioneered the development and production of four-stroke outboard engines and has never made a two-stroke outboard engine. http://marine.honda.ca/powerup.

About Environment Canada
Since 1995, Environment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program has provided financial support to community-based, non-profit organizations for projects that have measurable, positive impacts on the environment.
The Program encourages action focused projects that will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future.

Media Contact:
Kelly Drennan
President, Third Eye Media
P: 416-458-1491
E: kelly(at)thirdeyemedia(dot)ca

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