California grants Toyota facilities top awards for recycling, reuse, and more
The State of California's Integrated Waste Management Board has recognized Toyota through its 2008 Waste Reduction Awards program (WRAP). Awards are bestowed based on evaluation of recycling practices, waste prevention, reuse of materials, procurement of recycled products, and the education of employees. Altogether, these Toyota award-winning facilities recycled more than 9 million pounds of material: Toyota Logistics Services, Fremont; Toyota Logistics Services, Long Beach; North American Parts Center California, Ontario; San Francisco Parts Distribution Center and Regional Sales; and Los Angeles Parts Distribution Center and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Headquarters, Torrance.

CNG Camry Hybrid and Lexus RX450h hybrid SUV debut at LA Auto Show
Toyota unveiled the CNG Camry Hybrid concept car powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) at the November 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. It is essentially a stock Camry Hybrid with an alternative fuel system that includes CNG tanks in the spare tire well. Compared with gasoline, natural gas produces lower emissions of particulates, nitrous oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and non-methane organic gases (smog), plus a smaller carbon footprint per unit of energy. Ninety-nine percent of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. is produced in North America.

Lexus debuted its new RX450h SUV, representing a step forward in the evolution of Lexus hybrids. New features include an exhaust-heat recovery system that reduces engine warm-up time, allowing it to shut off earlier, more often, and for longer periods, plus a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system that reduces engine pumping losses. Both innovations improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. An optional part-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) system includes a rear-mounted electric motor-generator, allowing all four wheels to perform regenerative braking, which charges the hybrid battery more effectively.

Record-setting Toyota solar roof—more than 13.5 acres
North America's largest single-roof solar power installation became operational in October at Toyota's North America Parts Center California (NAPCC), Ontario. Its 10,494 solar modules cover more than 590,000 square feet (13.54 acres) of the roof and provide nearly 60 percent of the electricity for the 760,000-square-foot facility. With a total capacity of 2.3 megawatts, the solar roof can generate 3.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, bypassing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of about 2.4 million pounds per year.

Toyota supports new Arbor Day program on college campuses
Supported by a $750,000 grant from Toyota, the Arbor Day Foundation has launched Tree Campus USA to recognize best practices in campus community forestry. Participating campuses establish a campus tree advisory committee; have a campus tree-care plan; verify dedicated annual expenditures on the campus tree plan; conduct an Arbor Day observance; and have a service-learning project to engage the student body. Nearly 1,000 trees will be planted during celebrations at universities in Kentucky, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Nebraska, Virginia, California, and Mississippi.

Toyota contributes to educational programs at Yosemite and Yellowstone
As part of its $5 million donation to five national parks and the National Park Foundation, Toyota recently contributed vehicles and funds to Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks. More than $600,000 and five Prius hybrids went to Yosemite National Park for the Yosemite Leadership Program, a partnership between Yosemite, University of California Merced, and California State Parks. Yellowstone has received five vehicles, including three hybrids, plus more than $800,000 to enhance curriculum and accessibility in its No Child Left Inside initiative, which encourages more youngsters to be outdoors and connect with nature.

For information, contact Jana Hartline at Jana_Hartline@toyota.com or, for information on Toyota Canada, Kathryn Ruhland at kruhland@toyota.ca. Produced by Robert Oberhand & Associates, Los Angeles, CA, in conjunction with Toyota Corporate Communications Department.

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