Century Yuasa Batteries (CYB) is taking its environmental commitment to the next level, partnering with leading conservation organisation Greening Australia to support efforts to restore critical ecosystems and improve water quality across the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
CYB will throw its support behind Reef Aid, a flagship program that rebuilds eroding land and restores coastal wetlands – tackling one of the biggest threats to the Reef’s future: sediment runoff.
Each year, millions of tonnes of fine sediment wash into Reef catchments, smothering coral, choking seagrass, and undermining the Reef’s resilience to climate change.
By helping to stop sediment at its source, CYB will be helping to improve water quality, supporting biodiversity, and laying the groundwork for long-term ecological recovery.
Shaun O’Brien, General Manager – Automotive at Century Yuasa says the partnership reflects the company’s desire to turn environmental responsibility into meaningful action.
“We’ve always believed that sustainability should be more than a promise, it should be visible, measurable, and practical,” he says.
“As an Australian manufacturer, we’re proud that our locally made batteries not only support jobs here at home but also help fund initiatives that protect our unique environment. Supporting Reef Aid allows us to contribute to real, science-backed restoration work.
“It’s about being part of a long-term solution – one that benefits nature, communities and future generations.”
The partnership also opens the door for hands-on employee involvement through corporate volunteering days in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Heather Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Greening Australia, says the partnership is a powerful example of industry stepping up to support nature-based solutions.
“Protecting the Reef and restoring Australia’s landscapes will take all of us – scientists, communities, government, and business,” Heather says.
Founded in 1982, Greening Australia delivers large-scale restoration projects across Australia – applying a science-led approach to address biodiversity loss and climate change. Its work spans native habitat restoration, carbon sequestration, and reef catchment repair, creating healthier landscapes where people and nature can thrive.
For Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen, Century Yuasa Brand Ambassador, protecting the Great Barrier Reef is a cause close to his heart.
As someone who’s spent much of my life on and around the water, I’ve seen just how special – and vulnerable – our marine environments are,” he says.
“The Reef is one of Australia’s greatest natural treasures, and it’s great to see companies stepping up to help protect it. I’m proud to be part of a team that’s backing science-based solutions like Reef Aid.”
This new partnership builds on Century Yuasa’s long-standing sustainability leadership, including its national battery recycling program, ISO14001 environmental certification, and circular manufacturing model.
In 2025, the company partnered with Recycle Mate, a free app and online tool that provides location-specific recycling and waste disposal information within Australia, using data from more than 530 council areas and 40,000 drop-off points.
As part of the collaboration, CYB’s national network of recycling centres are now integrated into the Recycle Mate app and website, providing real-time, location-specific recycling guidance.
Recycle Mate is backed by the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and supported by government and industry.
Suzanne Toumbourou, Chief Executive Officer of ACOR, says the partnership demonstrates the power of industry collaboration in tackling hard-to-solve waste challenges.
“Lead-acid batteries pose serious health and environmental risks if not handled properly. At the same time, they can be successfully recycled, but only if they’re taken to a proper collection point,” she says.
“That’s why partnerships like this one are so important.”
