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Toyota Greens Up Its North American Plants

9 October 2000

Toyota Announces Ambitious Environmental Action Guidelines for its North American Plants

    ERLANGER, Ky. - In its continuing commitment to be an environmental leader, 
Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America (TMMNA) has issued an aggressive plan 
for its U.S. and Canadian manufacturing operations in order to reduce overall 
impact on the environment.

    By meeting the goals developed by TMMNA together with its plants, Toyota's
manufacturing facilities will significantly reduce energy usage, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous waste landfill disposal and water usage.

    "We have developed stringent guidelines to focus on continual environmental 
performance improvements through the year 2005," said Kevin Butt, head of 
TMMNA's Environmental Affairs Department.  "We intend to be proactive in our 
environmental efforts rather than just striving to meet regulations."

    Specifically, Toyota's "Environmental Action Plan" spells out targets to
achieve the following goals by 2005:

    *  Reduce electric and natural gas usage by 15 percent per unit
    *  Reduce VOCs by 30 percent per unit
    *  Reduce hazardous waste disposal at landfills by 95 percent per unit
    *  Reduce water usage by 15 percent per unit

    Also as part of the plan, Toyota is requiring its business partners, 
specifically suppliers, to meet goals set forth in its "Green Supplier Guidelines" 
publication sent out this summer.

    The North American plan is part of Toyota's Global Earth Charter which
outlines the corporation's commitment to the environment.

    "We want to set clear standards so that we can continuously improve
environmental performance," said Butt, referring to Toyota's objectives.

    The next step will be for the company's U.S. and Canadian plants to
develop their own action plans to achieve the overall objectives.