Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) announced today that it has
joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
WasteWise program.
As the first national voluntary solid waste reduction program,
WasteWise encourages organizations to reduce municipal solid waste
through waste prevention, recycling and buying or manufacturing
recycled products.
"The WasteWise program is a great opportunity to recognize the
efforts of Toyota associates that contribute to our waste reduction and
recycling efforts every day," said Bob Wade, corporate manager of
environmental, hazardous material and safety.
In 2008, TMS recycled over 86 percent of its waste, more than
24,000,000 pounds. U.S. EPA estimates that the amount of greenhouse gas
reduced due to TMS collective recycling and reduction efforts* are
equivalent to the annual emissions from 10,549 passenger vehicles.
Toyota estimates that the amount of greenhouse gases reduced from
recycling efforts is the equivalent of all 2nd generation Prius sold in
the U.S. in 2008, more than 154,000 vehicles, increasing their fuel
economy from 46 mpg to 52 (combined city/hwy) for the year.
A major focus of the WasteWise program is waste prevention - actions
that minimize or eliminate the generation of waste - with the goal of
decreasing the amount of material that must be recycled or thrown away.
TMS North American Parts Operation supports waste prevention through
the use of over 45,000 reusable metal containers instead of cardboard
and wood pallets. These containers move parts throughout the TMS
distribution network and have eliminated the need for 25.9 million
pounds of wood and 9.4 million pounds of corrugated cardboard in fiscal
year 2009 alone.
"The greenhouse gas reduction focus in our industry is primarily on
vehicle emissions," said Wade. "But Toyota works to reduce emissions
throughout all aspects of our business. From energy efficiency in our
facilities to waste reduction and recycling, our goal is to minimize
our environmental footprint. "
More than 1,100 organizations have joined the WasteWise program
since 1994. WasteWise partners include manufacturers, retailers and
service firms from more than 50 different industry sectors.
* Based on sites reporting data for WasteWise. WasteWise application included 2008 data for 16 of 23 TMS sites.
