Impact Partners for 2024
Thanks to the support of Coca-Cola in the Community – a joint initiative by Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) – Eco Barge will continue to deliver our core projects throughout 2024, including the Whitsunday Marine Debris Removal Program, Count and Sorts, and recycling events at Eco Barge HQ.
Through this partnership we will continue our mission to keep the iconic Whitsunday Islands clean, protect our local marine life from the threat of marine debris, as well as explore new and innovative ways to recycle plastic debris.
Coca‑Cola Australia, with support from the Coca‑Cola Foundation, has been partnering with Eco Barge Clean Seas since 2018 to help clean up the Great Barrier Reef. With their help, we removed over 23,000kg of marine debris from the reef between 2018 and 2022.
Click here to learn more https://www.coca-cola.com/au/en/sustainability/sustainable-packaging/tackling-marine-litter-together
Eco Barge received funding support from the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action Grant Program. This support will enable Eco Barge to run marine debris removal trips for the Whitsunday Group of Islands and coastline, including count and sorts and recycle events for the collected marine debris.
Key Supporters for 2024
Eco Barge is proud to be one of 28 regional community groups across Australia selected for the Qantas Regional Grants 2024 from over 1,700 applicants. This support enables us to conduct marine debris removal trips and train volunteers as Eco Team Leaders for our core activities and the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre. This funding will help safeguard the Whitsunday marine environment, preserve sea turtle populations, and empower our volunteers to lead in environmental conservation.
Eco Barge has been selected as one of six successful applicants for a grant under the Queensland Circular Economy (Industry-Research) program, supported by the Resources Centre of Excellence and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. This initiative aims to drive industry-led research and innovation, helping us transition from the traditional take-make-waste model to a sustainable circular economy.
Eco Barge and Cruise Whitsundays are proud to continue the partnership for 2024, this is now the tenth year Cruise Whitsundays has partnered with Eco Barge. These partnerships are essential for ensuring Eco Barge’s projects and programs continue to flourish. The teams are dedicated to improving and caring for our marine environment and wildlife, especially as Cruise Whitsunday is our major supporter of the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre. Their support helps to provide care and safe delivery of sick or injured turtles found amongst the Whitsunday islands.
Hamilton Island, along with its employees, community and guests, is providing valuable support and educational awareness about protecting the Great Barrier Reef through donations from the Containers for Change program and other initiatives on Hamilton Island. The Containers for Change program aims to reduce container litter, increase recycling efforts, and benefit Eco Barge through the containers deposited at various Containers for Change bins around Hamilton Island.
Together, we can make a significant impact on marine conservation and environmental sustainability in the Whitsundays. Thank you, Hamilton Island, for helping to support Eco Barge and our shared mission to protect the Whitsunday Islands and sea turtles from litter.
Eco Barge Champions 2024
Previous Partners, Supporters, & Champions
Australian Government – Caring for our country, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Governments – Everyone’s Environment Grants, Department of National Parks Sport and Racing – Friends of Parks, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation, Keep Australia Beautiful Beverage Container Recycling Grant, Aurizon Community Grants, Sunsuper Dreams For a Better World Community Grants, Whitsunday Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, Green Energy Technologies, Charter Yachts Australia, Whitsunday Escape, Zinc, Reef HQ Turtle Hospital, Fauna Rescue Whitsundays, Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, Zest Design, Cumberland Charter Yachts.