5 ways to help save the planet, according to Toyota

July 15,2019

One of Toyota Motor’s environment-friendly manufacturing plants.

TOYOTA Motor’s Environmental Challenge 2050 aims to make mobility sustainable by reducing Toyota vehicles’ CO2 emissions by over 90% compared to 2010 levels; eliminate CO2 in the entire life cycle of the vehicle; completely remove CO2 emissions from Toyota’s operations; minimize and optimize water usage in the company’s facilities; help create a recycling-based society that reduces or eliminates the need for landfills and the pollution they create; and support biodiversity and operate in harmony with nature.

To achieve these, Toyota lists down the five ways it is evolving its business to ensure a more sustainable future.

 

1. Preserving national parks with old car batteries
Reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles has long been a priority at Toyota. A low-carbon future includes hybrid technology, improving fuel efficiency and prioritizing electrification.

But putting electric cars on the road also creates a new waste product — used batteries. Toyota’s solution is to repurpose degraded batteries at the end of their useful life.

 

2. Establishing recyclable water systems
Toyota has set four goals focused on water conservation: eliminate water waste, establish systems with 100% recycled or reused water, spread the word about conservation to community members and nonprofit groups, and help Toyota’s major suppliers adopt the same goals.

 

3. Teaching a recycle-first mindset
Recycling is a habit that takes time to instill. And for some, it’s a challenge to remember to put waste in the proper receptacles. But the use of raw materials — from boxes, plastic wrapping and disposables like coffee cups and straws — has increased at approximately twice the rate of the population in the past century.

That’s why Toyota is promoting a recycle-first mindset with a three-step plan: conserve natural resources by increasing the use of sustainable materials and extend the life of vehicle parts, eliminate waste disposal by reusing and recycling, and share the company’s insights with others.

 

4. Promoting biodiversity
To promote living in harmony with nature, Toyota in various places is working to protect species, conserve habitats and share insights with partners and local communities. First, Toyota is taking care of its own backyard. The company currently sustains around 1,000 acres set aside at 12 sites engaged in conservation programs certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council, including grasslands, wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens and forests.

Toyota is also taking the effort global, helping preserve areas like the Galapagos Islands.

 

5. Partnering for a sustainable future
When a company shares its expertise with other groups, these solutions can be scaled to a larger degree.

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