America’s Cup syndicates join The Big Clean Up

24 October 2002

Seven of the America’s Cup syndicates have signed up to the Auckland Regional Council’s environmental action campaign, The Big Clean Up, to help care for our environment and encourage Aucklanders to do likewise.

“The Big Clean Up has given the syndicates simple, practical things to do to look after the environment, just as it gives Aucklanders simple, practical actions we can do around our homes to look after our environment,” said ARC Chairperson Gwen Bull.

“They may be fierce competitors on the water but when it comes to protecting the environment the seven participating syndicates were all keen to join in,” said Cr Bull.

The teams have pledged to follow a three-point action plan to minimise the effect of their actvities on the environment while they’re here in Auckland, and they’re encouraging all Aucklanders to join The Big Clean Up.

The yachties are following an action plan tailored to their lifestyle:

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle – setting up recycling on their bases to esure less rubbish ends up in landfill
2.
3. Save our drains for rain – to prevent contaminated stormwater entering the harbour from their bases
4.
5. Stow it, don’t throw it – rubbish from racing and support boats is not thrown into the harbour.
6.
The syndicates encourage all Aucklanders to get behind The Big Clean Up too – by signing up to the household action plan.

“Everyone should get behind this important program that will make this a better place to live, work, play – and race!” said OneWorld executive director, Bob Ratliffe. “Helping with The Big Clean up is the right thing to do. OneWorld is doing its part to keep New Zealand clean. In fact, we even capture the clean NZ rainwater to wash down our boats and sails every day after racing! What is more 100% pure than that?”

"The Big Clean Up is a wonderful initiative. It is a simple but effective

way for us to contribute to the environment during our stay here in

Auckland. You have a beautiful region and it deserves to stay that way – no matter how many America's Cups you end up hosting!!" said General Manager of Le Defi Areva, Xavier de Lesquen.

“Mascalzone Latino has joined The Big Clean Up because we support the Auckland Regional Council's effort to keep pollution out of the harbour. It is a great harbour and we encourage all of Auckland to help by also joining The Big Clean Up,” said Shannon Falcone, Mascalzone Latino’s spokesman.

“We’re thrilled that the syndicates have come on board. It really shows the Sir Peter Blake ethic of looking after our environment is alive and strong amongst his yachting peers,” said Cr Gwen Bull.

The syndicates that are on board with The Big Clean Up are:

Team New Zealand, OneWorld Challenge, Oracle BMW Racing, GBR Challenge, Mascalzone Latino, Le Defi Areva, and Alinghi Challenge.

If Aucklanders want to join The Big Clean Up they can do so by calling 0800 Join In (0800 56 46 46) and have a sign up form sent to them or they can join online at www.arc.govt.nz

The Big Clean Up is supported by The Ministry for the Environment.

ENDS

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