North American sustainability planning, strategies and actions are driven by an Environmental Action Plan, a five-year roadmap that helps achieve incremental progress towards Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.
Let’s face it: there’s only one planet Earth. That’s why we focus on environmentally sustainable solutions in everything we do and every vehicle we make. From our North American manufacturing plants to the more than 1 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles assembled in the U.S., we are advancing toward a brighter tomorrow.
Toyota’s environmental activities in North America are designed around four important FOCUS AREAS that drive our environmental planning, strategies and actions.
We reduce CO2 emissions from our vehicles through improved fuel efficiency and the use of hybrid technology as well as electrification. In our manufacturing plants and logistics operations, we reduce CO2 emissions through innovative projects that cut energy and fuel consumption and increase our use of renewable energy.
The 8.79-megawatt solar array is the largest on-site corporate solar installation among non-utility companies in the state of Texas. In total, the system is expected to provide approximately one-third of the power needed for Toyota’s new headquarters campus.
We find ways to conserve, especially in our manufacturing processes. Each year, we use fewer and fewer gallons to produce a vehicle, and we’re finding new ways to recycle and reuse. We concentrate on water-stressed areas of North America, such as California, Texas and Mexico, to make a little water go a long way.
TMMBC is the first Toyota plant in North America to use a membrane bio reactor (MBR). The MBR and RO system helps ensure the plant will have sufficient water to operate, even though water availability is limited in the area.
HOW DO WE REDUCE WASTE? We emphasize recycling at all of our locations, from the largest manufacturing site to the smallest office. We even recycle waste when we build a new facility. Each one of our team members plays a role in making sure material stays out of the trash.
As a co-op, Dawn Ng, now an engineering specialist at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, discovered the perfect amount of solvent needed to clean the robots that paint vehicle bumpers. The result was huge savings in chemicals, water and BONUS… fewer defective bumpers!
HOW DO WE PROTECT BIODIVERSITY?
Toyota’s biodiversity efforts support the unique balance of plants, animals and ecosystems. As we plan, construct and manage our facilities across North America, we minimize the disruption of natural habitats and proactively support pollinator and native species.
Toyota and NEEF awarded a $200,000 grant to the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) for a two-year project to combat invasive species in the National Capital Region.
WE KNOW TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, we must work with others and share our know-how. We support a variety of outreach projects that align with our key focus areas of Carbon, Water, Materials and Biodiversity. Through the power of collaboration, our actions harness the power of partnerships to help us shape a more sustainable future.
Kevin Butt (right), director of Environmental Sustainability for Toyota Motor North America, with acclaimed artist Wyland. Wyland hand-painted one of his famous marine life artworks on a 2018 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid as part of the kick-off.
“Toyota has unveiled a set of six visionary environmental goals that will create a net positive impact on the planet. We in North America are working hard to do our part to support this global initiative. Today, that means a focus on our North American Environmental Action Plan, educating our team members and sharing our environmental know-how with others.”
Director of Environmental Sustainability
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
North American sustainability planning, strategies and actions are driven by an Environmental Action Plan, a five-year roadmap that helps achieve incremental progress towards Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050.
Toyota’s response to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing environmental issues, is centered around the six far-reaching goals within the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 (Challenge 2050). Here in North America, our activities supporting both Challenge 2050 and the SDGs are organized by our core focus areas of Water, Carbon, Materials and Biodiversity. Our long-term strategies in each of these focus areas, supported by our outreach activities, show the steps we’re taking to address the world’s pressing environmental problems and become part of the solution.
How do you balance a passion for performance with a love for the planet? It’s a question our engineers answer every day. We’re creating vehicles that are safe, practical and fun to drive – while at the same time working to ensure our cars and trucks are at the forefront of environmental engineering. Today, with more than 2 million Toyota hybrid vehicles on U.S. roads – more than any other manufacturer – and new breakthroughs in plug-in, electric, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies, we’re building better cars for the road and for the Earth.
Learn more about Toyota's Electrification Strategy here.
Learn more about our lineup of alternative fuel vehicles here.
In order to create positive change, we work closely with inspiring environmental organizations. Some of these key partnerships include:
Toyota's 2021 North American Environmental Report outlines the progress being made towards the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 and the net positive impacts made across North America.
Download a PDF of the 2021 North American Environmental Report here
For over 30 years, Toyota has delivered innovative environmental thinking. Today, we continue to lead with an environmental strategy that builds on our expertise and shares knowledge with our associates, partners and communities. Explore some of our stories below.
