Toyota and the Environment
Toyota regards the protection of the global environment as one of its top priority concerns. At every stage of a vehicle's life, Toyota strives to protect the environment through reducing energy use and minimising waste.
Toyota's commitment to the environment extends to all areas of its operations. In 1992, its Global Policy established action guidelines known as Toyota's 'Earth Charter'.
Toyota Manufacturing UK's environmental policy reflects Toyota's global earth charter. It was Toyota's first overseas plant and the UK's first car manufacturer to achieve ISO14001 certification. It was also the first overseas Toyota plant to use waterborne paints and the first UK car plant to achieve zero waste to landfill. In 2009, Toyota Manufacturing UK achieved zero incineration.
The production of vehicles and engines in factories has the potential to impact on the environment. To ensure that car manufacturing can make more with less, Toyota developed its world-famous Toyota Production System (TPS) several decades ago. Over the years, TPS has also evolved to include environmental targets. The Company's Environmental Management System scope is available upon request. Please email: external.affairs@toyotauk.com.
Toyota Production System
Eliminates waste
Reduces energy usage
Minimises use of raw materials
Delivers standardised quality
By applying best practice in all processes ("Yokoten")
By continuous improvement ("Kaizen")
By going to the source to find the facts ("Genchi Genbutsu")
By just-in-time production by 'pulling' products through the production line active involvement from all team members
Performance and Targets
Toyota has established a set of key performance indicators (KPI’s) for each of the most significant aspects of production. The key performance indicators are: energy usage, water usage, waste and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) released from the painting process.
At Toyota Manufacturing UK, since the start of our operations in 1992, we have continued to seek ways to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. Our Burnaston plant performance in each of these environmental KPI’s is shown below. Each year, we continue to set targets to improve our results.
Our performance is reported on a consolidated basis, along with all other European Manufacturing Companies and published in Toyota Motor Europe’s annual Sustainability Report.
KPI History
Download Toyota Manufacturing UK's KPI history.
Environmental and Energy Policy
Download Toyota Manufacturing UK's Environmental and Energy Policy.
Tackling Environmental Impact
79% Reduction
Energy usage
per vehicle (kwh)
62% Reduction
Waste produced
per vehicle (kg)
76% Reduction
VOC emissions
per vehicle (g/m2)
79% reduction
Water usage
per vehicle (m3)
Discover TOYOTA
TMUK Charitable Trust
Through the social contributions programme, over £6.3 million has been donated to charities and organisations by Toyota.
Lean Approach Seminars
Come directly to the source at our Burnaston state of the art manufacturing facility and learn more about Toyota's approach to manufacturing.
TOYOTA Glossary
Find the meaning behind the common terms used by Toyota.
TOYOTA and The Environment
At every stage of a vehicle's life, Toyota strives to protect the environment through reducing energy use and minimising waste.