Environmental Initiatives

Chronology of Environmental Initiatives by Field

Year
Events
1963
Production Environment Committee established
1973
Toyota designates the month of June as 'Toyota Environment Month'
Environmental Product Design Assessment Committee established
1989
Ozone-Layer Protection Subcommittee established
1990
Recycling Committee established
1991
Toyota Environment Month renamed Global Environment Month
'One Person, One Tree' campaign initiated to reduce waste of paper resources (completed at the end of 1992)
1992
'Guiding Principles at Toyota' adopted
Toyota adopts the 'Comprehensive Approach to Global Environmental Issues' (also known as the 'Toyota Earth Charter')
Toyota Environment Committee established
1993
Toyota Environmental Action Plan established
1996
Toyota 2005 Vision announced
Toyota Environmental Action Plan revised
1997
Internal LCA Subcommittee established
1998
Environmental Affairs Division established
Toyota's Development and Design Divisions obtain external certification for ISO 14001
Environmental pocketbook distributed to all employees to improve their awareness
First 'Environmental Report' established
1999
Computation model and a database for LCA evaluation software built
Toyota begins including environmental specifications in the catalogs of all new or redesigned models
2000
Environmental Textbook distributed to affiliates in Japan and overseas
LCA applied to all vehicles under development
Toyota Earth Charter revised
2001
The Third Toyota Environmental Action Plan goes into effect, and Toyota meets its first-year goals
Toyota begins calculating customer effects and eco efficiency in addition to environmental costs and economic effects
2003
Interim review of the Third Toyota Environmental Action Plan conducted
2005
Fourth Toyota Environmental Action Plan developed and published
2006
First Environmental Recognition and Best Practice Presentation meeting held
2007
Environmental Affairs Division reorganized into the CSR & Environmental Affairs Division
2010
CSR & Environmental Affairs Division reorganized into the Environmental Affairs Division
2011
Environmental Report' published separately from Sustainability Report
Year
Events
1979
LASRE engine series developed (3A-U)
1984
Toyota becomes the first automaker n the world to begin mass-producing lean burn engines
1985
Toyota commercializes the world's first electronic fuel injection system for indirect injection diesel engines
1986
Toyota creates a CNG prototype vehicle, jointly developed with a major gas company
1993
Switchover from CFC12 to a new refrigerant (HFC134a) completed for car air conditioners in all models
1994
Flex Lock-up System developed
Toyota develops a NOx storage-reduction, three-way catalytic converter that is combined with a lean burn engine to remove NOx
1995
Preparations to establish an ISO14001 structure started
High-performance electric vehicle 'RAV4-EV' developed
Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-i) technology developed
1996
Two-seater EV called e-com exhibited at motor show
D-4 engine installed in the Corona Premio
FCEV (prototype vehicle) launched that combines a fuel cell unit with a hydrogen-absorbing alloy
1997
The D-4 engine receives the Technological Development Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan and an R&D 100 award in the U.S.A.
Super ECT, a highly efficient automatic transmission developed
Oxidizing catalytic converter developed for diesel engines that reduces soluble organic compounds by at least 50%
Methanol-reforming FCEV prototype announced
Prius featuring the Toyota Hybrid System launched
New air conditioner developed that uses less refrigerant
Toyota starts full-scale application of product environmental management, beginning with the Harrier
New emissions reduction system developed that complies with the 2000 Exhaust Emissions Standards
1998
Patents for NOx catalytic converter system obtained in 10 countries
New generation of one-liter car gasoline engines developed
More than 100 Toyota models are approved under the Low-Emission Vehicle Designation System in seven municipalities
1999
Toyota develops Crayon, an EV commuter system, and begins using it internally
New compact battery for hybrid vehicles developed
2000
Toyota achieves its voluntary 2000 fuel efficiency goals
Toyota completes voluntary compliance with the 2000 Exhaust Emissions Standards for gasoline-powered vehicles
New Prius featuring a compact nickel-metal hydride battery launched
2001
FCHV-3 equipped with a hydrogen-absorbing alloy tank launched (March)
FCHV-4 equipped with a high-pressure hydrogen tank developed and road testing commenced (June)
Toyota meets the 2010 Fuel Efficiency Standards in four categories
Number of vehicles complying with the Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles expanded
Number of low-emissions vehicles that satisfy the 2010 Fuel Efficiency Standards expanded
Development of fuel-cell hybrid vehicles accelerated and limited sales plan announced
LCA results disclosed in new car catalogs
2002
Toyota increases the number of hybrid passenger car models to three, achieving cumulative total sales of 100,000 vehicles
Toyota achieves the 2010 Fuel Efficiency Standards in six of the eight categories
Toyota increases the percentage of its vehicles complying with the Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles to 98%
Toyota increases the number of models complying with both the 2010 Fuel Efficiency Standards and the Ultra-Low Emission levels to 21
Limited sales of FCHVs started
Toyota achieves a cumulative total sales of 140,000 hybrid vehicles
LCA results for the next-generation Prius published
2003
Toyota increases the percentage of its vehicles meeting the Ultra-Low Emission level to 76.5%
Toyota achieves the 2010 Fuel Efficiency Standards in six of the seven categories
Newly developed DPR/DPNR catalytic converter adopted in diesel-powered vehicles
FCHV-BUS2 commences commercial operation
Eco-VAS, a system for effectively assessing environmental impact, introduced
New Prius featuring a completely redesigned powertrain launched
2004
87% of Toyota's gasoline-powered passenger cars meet the 2010 Fuel Efficiency Standards
Toyota increases the percentage of its vehicles meeting the Ultra-Low Emission level to 90.8%
2005
Toyota achieves cumulative total sales of 360,000 hybrid vehicles globally
Toyota begins application of Eco-VAS with the new Vitz
Eco-driving promotion booklet issued
2008
Toyota develops the Toyota FCHV, an improved fuel cell vehicle, and begins leasing it
2009
Meetings held to explain REACH to Toyota suppliers
New 'Harmonious Driving Navigator' system installed in the Lexus HS 250h
Plug-in hybrid vehicles targeting fleet users in Japan, the U.S., and Europe launched
2010
Agreement signed to license its Prius hybrid technology to Mazda
Year
Events
1963
Production Environment Committee established
1971
All-Toyota Environmental Management Committee established
1973
Toyota starts a waste reduction campaign
1978
Energy Division Assembly established inside All-Toyota Production Technology Liaisons
1984
Prior Assessment System for Environmental Preservation established
1987
Toyota begins initiatives to reduce the volume of packaging and wrapping materials
1989
Toyota eliminates the use of trichloroethylene
1990
5R Program commenced to strengthen waste reduction activities
Logistics: Percentage of container transports increased
Production Environment Technology Subcommittee established
1991
All -Toyota Environmental Liaison established
Use of CFC-11 ceased
1992
Use of CFC-113 ceased
Toyota introduces its own waste manifests
Five types of CFC completely eliminated from Toyota's production processes
Logistics: Use of combined land-sea transport between Kamigo (Aichi) and Hakata (Fukuoka) started as part of Toyota's modal shift
1993
First Toyota Environmental Action Plan developed and announced
Toyota's goal for energy use per sales unit established and published
Industrial waste reduction goals developed and published
1994
Prior Assessment System for Environmental Preservation revised prior to launching of PRTR system
Logistics: Toyota receives the Logistics Grand Prize for its use of combined land-sea transport
1995
Use of trichloroethane eliminated
Overseas Production Environmental Subcommittee established
1996
Takaoka Plant becomes the first automotive plant in the world to obtain external certification for ISO 14001
Second Toyota Environmental Action Plan developed and announced
Goals for energy use per sales unit and total CO2 emissions established and published
Energy-saving production processes for achieving a best energy mix developed and introduced
Toyota actively promotes its 5R initiative
All Toyota plants begin serious efforts to reduce waste
Tsutsumi Plant obtains external certification for ISO 14001
1997
Use of dichloromethane ceased
Toyota participates in the Ministry of the Environment's PRTR system pilot project (Nishi-Mikawa district, Aichi Prefecture)
Motomachi Plant obtains external certification for ISO 14001
Tahara Plant obtains external certification for ISO 14001
1998
Plant Production Environmental Subcommittee established
All Toyota production sites in Japan obtain external certification for ISO 14001 by the end of 1998
1999
Technology for new waterborne paint with less environmental impact developed and introduced at the Takaoka Plant
Each plant begins disclosing its PRTR information in its local area
2000
Prior Assessment System for Environmental Preservation revised, including expansion of the numbers of prohibited substances and substances to be controlled
Third Toyota Environmental Action Plan created and published
Steps to reduce CO2 emissions beginning in the product development phase implemented and innovative, energy-efficient production technologies developed
Water usage reduction goals developed and published
VOC and PRTR reduction goals created and published
2001
All Toyota plants achieve zero landfill waste
Toyota achieves 100% green purchasing
Production Environment Logistics Subcommittee established
Service Parts Logistics Division obtains external certification for ISO 14001
2002
Suppliers asked to comply with the European ELV Directive
Environmental Information Network System (EPI) implemented company-wide so that environmental data can be centrally managed
2003
All Toyota plants and offices achieve zero landfill waste
2005
Waste reduction goals developed and published
Logistics: Use of railroad transport for production parts started
2006
Environmental Purchasing Guidelines revised and Toyota Green Purchasing Guidelines issued
The Tsutsumi Plant implements its Eco-Factory Project towards becoming a sustainable plant
2007
The Tsutsumi Plant installs a 2,000-kw solar power generation system (one of the largest among automobile plants worldwide)
2008
Logistics: Toyota receives the first Eco-Ship Mark recognition from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
2010
Plant Environment Genchi Genbutsu Meeting (previously the Plant Production Environmental Subcommittee) established
Production Technology Environmental Conference (previously the Production Environment Technology Subcommittee) established
Year
Events
1970
Toyota Metl Co., Ltd. (end-of-life vehicle shredding company) established
1981
Material ID marking system introduced
1990
CFC collection and recycling equipment distributed to service shops across Japan free of charge
1991
'TSOP', a new resin with excellent recyclability developed and commercialized
A bumper recycling system covering western Tokyo commenced
1994
Technology for recycling painted bumpers into new bumpers developed and commercialized
1995
Technology for utilizing the glass from automobile shredder residue (ASR) as a reinforcing agent in tiles developed and commercialized
Technology for utilizing copper extracted from wire harnesses in ASR as a reinforcing agent in cast aluminum parts developed and commercialized
World's first high-precision, dry sorting technology jointly developed with Toyota Metal
Demonstration plant for recycling ASR begins operation
Toyota develops and begins using an ASR melt-bricking technology
Toyota develops and begins using a technology for utilizing the urethane and fiber recovered from ASR as a vehicle soundproofing material (recycled soundproofing products [RSPP])
Toyota Automobile Dismantling Manual created and distributed
1996
Toyota develops and begins utilizing its TSOP-5, an interior material that integrates 20 types of resin materials into two types
Technology for recycling urethane resin bumpers developed
Bumper recycling system expanded to cover all of Japan
System developed and employed for separating and concentrating the ethylene glycol recovered from Long Life Coolant (LLC) and converting it into fuel
1997
Toyota begins recycling urethane resin bumpers into battery trays, etc.
System for separating and concentrating the ethylene glycol recovered from LLC and converting it into fuel distributed to all dealers free of charge
Planning and design development of an ASR recycling plant started
Toyota begins eliminating lead from fuel tanks
Recoverability prior assessment system implemented
Continuous processing technology developed that uses a twin-screw reactive extruder to recycle painted bumpers into new bumpers
Technology developed for recycling waste rubber into products of the same quality as new material
Toyota begins using lead-free wire harness coverings
1998
Recycling voluntary action plan established to strengthen Toyota's commitment to recycling
Full-scale ASR recycling plant built
Prius battery recycling system built
Toyota begins eliminating lead from electro-deposited coatings
CFC12 collection and destruction system started in the Tokyo metropolitan region
Toyota begins collection and reuse of HFC134a
1999
Use of recycled soundproofing materials expanded to 12 models, achieving an effective recycling rate of 87%
Environmental Guidelines implemented at dealers
2000
Recoverability of the Celsior improved
All Toyota dealers begin implementing the steps specified in the environmental guidelines created by the Toyota National Dealers' Advisory Council
2001
Automobile Recycle Technical Center established
Recoverability prior assessment system improved and strengthened
Lead usage reduced
Nationwide selling of used auto parts nationwide started
2002
'Toyota Recycling Vision through 2015' formulated
Toyota develops efficient dismantling technologies and incorporates them into the new Raum (launched in May 2003)
Toyota successfully reduces lead usage in three models down to 1/10 of the 1996 level
Operation of demonstration plant for ASR thermal recycling started
Plant-derived Toyota Eco-Plastic adopted
2003
Toyota Recycling Vision developed and published
Lead usage in five models successfully reduced to 1/10 of the 1996 level
Toyota's Automobile Recycle Technical Center develops various types of dismantling tools
Compliance with the Automobile Recycling Law strengthened
2004
The recycling-oriented design established with the Raum steadily incorporated into new cars
Toyota decides to globally eliminate the use of four substances (lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium) as early as possible
Japan Auto Recycling Partnership, Ltd. established
2005
The Automobile Recycling Law goes into effect and Toyota begins collecting and recycling of the three designated items
Operation of an internal information system in compliance with the Automobile Recycling Law commenced
2007
Automakers begin accepting end-of-life vehicles in various European countries (not all countries)
2009
Toyota HV Call Center established (and new hybrid vehicle battery recycling system started up)
2010
Simulation program for removing door trim developed
Recycling of used hybrid vehicle nickel-metal hydride batteries commenced for hybrid vehicles
Year
Events
1992
Toyota begins marketing homes that satisfy the New Energy Saving Standard and are financed by the Housing Loan Corporation
Full-scale research on biotechnology and afforestation commenced
1997
Toyota joins the Association for Environmentally Symbiotic Housing, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Construction
Toyota begins marketing high-efficiency, energy-saving homes MELEZE PREMIER, MELEZE, and CHENE
Solar power generation system offered as an option
Formaldehyde volume in interior building materials and adhesives reduced
1998
SINCE AII Home designed to reduce waste generated during remodeling and use less building materials developed
Biotechnology and Afforestation Business Department established
Joint-venture afforestation company established in Australia
1999
The unit- type product brand acquires Environmentally Symbiotic Housing certification
Toyota Biotechnology and Afforestation Laboratory established and begins full-scale operation
Joint venture for growing ornamental plants in Aomori Prefecture established
2000
New biotechnology business started
Energy-saving homes developed
2001
Biodegradable plastics for automobile components adopted
Toyota Roof Garden Co., Ltd. established
Housing Group promotes activities based on the Environmental Action Plan
Afforestation in China started
2003
SINCE RAISON series, based on the next-generation energy conservation -saving standards, launched
P.T. Toyota Bio Indonesia's animal feed processing plant begins full-scale operation
‘F Four Star’ standard adopted in all building materials for the new SINCE Cada home
Toyota begins building a demonstration bioplastics plant with annual capacity of 1,000 tons
Sichuan Toyota Nitan Development Co., Ltd. commences operation
2004
The SINCE Cada home receives the Good Design Award in architecture and environmental design
2005
Toyota's bioplastic demonstration plant goes into full-scale operation (May)
2007
Afforestation activities started in the Philippines
Year
Events
1996
Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK), Ltd. (TMUK) becomes the first overseas Toyota location to obtain external certification for ISO 14001
1997
'Toyota Recycling Initiative' distributed; describes Toyota's recycling policy, to dealers all over the world
European Recycling Committee established
1998
All-Toyota Global Warming Prevention Council established
1999
First Global EMS Liaison Meeting held (attended by environmental personnel from overseas affiliates)
'Environmental Purchasing Guidelines' issued to Toyota's suppliers
2000
Consolidated environmental management introduced to 445 consolidated subsidiaries in Japan and overseas
All-Toyota Production Environment Conference established (previously the All-Toyota Global Warming Prevention Council)
Toyota expands the application of its Environmental Purchasing Guidelines to its overseas locations
Logistics: CO2 emissions reduction goals developed and published for Toyota's logistics subcontractors in Japan
2001
Global environmental data published for first time
All-Toyota Production Environment Meeting established
All-Toyota Logistics Environment Conference established
2002
First Overseas Regional Production Environment Conference (Asia-Pacific region) held
European Environmental Committee established
2003
Eco- Factory activities commenced
2004
North America Environment Committee established
2005
Toyota's consolidated subsidiaries in Japan and overseas develop and publish their Fourth Toyota Environmental Action Plan (covering 2006-2010)
Global CO2 emissions targets developed and published
VOC and PRTR targets developed and published that encompass all of Toyota's locations in Japan
Logistics: Toyota begins assessing its CO2 emissions in each overseas region
2006
Toyota Green Purchasing Guidelines implemented globally
South America Environment Committee established
2007
China Environment Committee established
Asia Pacific Environment Committee established
2008
South Africa Environment Committee established
2010
Toyota's consolidated subsidiaries in Japan and overseas develop and publish their Fifth Toyota Environmental Action Plan (covering 2011-2015)
Logistics: activities to promote CO2 emission reductions and packaging and wrapping materials usage reductions at the highest levels in each country announced
2011
The Global Environmental Conference held
'Toyota Green Purchasing Guidelines' revised
Year
Events
1992
Plans for Forest of Toyota developed
1996
Toyota High-Tech Research Grant Program starts
1997
First Toyota Environmental Forum held
'Forest of Toyota' model forest created
1998
'Eco-no-Mori Seminar' held; designed to train human resources for greenification, under a 3-year plan
1999
Toyota receives the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global 500 Award
Toyota begins opening its environment-related facilities (Environment Center, etc.) to the public
2000
Environmental grant program initiated
2001
Stakeholder dialogs held under the theme of 'sustainable development'
Forest of Toyota, Phase 2 'Eco-no-Mori Seminar' started
2003
'Environmental and Social Report' issued (formerly known as the 'Environmental Report')
2004
Toyota promotes reduction in substances of environmental concern in cooperation with its suppliers
2005
Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute opened
2006
Sustainability Report issued (previously Environmental and Social Report)
2007
Toyota Environment Handbook created
'Sustainable Plant' activities commenced
Toyota New R&D Center Environmental Advisory Committee established
2008
Toyota Biodiversity Guidelines published
Third phase (2008-2012) of the Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program started
2009
Natural Environment Preservation Technology Evaluation Meeting established (in April)
Overview of the New R&D Center (Project Outline and Environmental Considerations Overview) prepared
First public meeting to explain new R&D facility held
2010
Second public meeting to explain new R&D facility held
'Harmoniously Coexisting with Forests and Wetlands near Populated Areas' report drafted (describing the steps being taken at the new Toyota R&D Facility)
Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) held in Nagoya
Toyota assists at Messe Nagoya, e.g., providing exhibits, taking participants on excursions and providing eco-cars
Toyota creates the brochure, 'Toyota's approach to biodiversity'
2011
The Nature Coexistence Project of the Toyota Shirakawa-Go Eco-Institute receives an award from the Ministry of the Environment at the Second Contest for Corporate Activities on Biodiversity