Company plans four voluntary projects to benefit Kentucky's environment

Contact:  Aaron Keatley (800) 926-8111

HEBRON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2007) – Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc., whose plant at Hebron supplies service parts for all Toyota models produced in North America, has been accepted as a Master member of KY EXCEL, the environmental leadership program of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.

Master membership is the highest level of the program.  To attain it, Toyota Motor Sales, USA (TMS) had to demonstrate comprehensive environmental management planning, submit to an independent third-party assessment of the plant’s compliance and commit to and report on at least four voluntary projects that benefit Kentucky’s environment.

“We look forward to our partnership with KY EXCEL,” said Pat Cisper, national facility manager at TMS’ North American Parts Center Kentucky. “We are always working to pursue new and improved methods to have a positive impact on the environment.”

The Hebron facility is Toyota’s largest parts center outside Japan. It has nearly 400 employees, receives products from more than 600 North American suppliers and ships to distribution centers and dealerships worldwide. 

TMS’ four environmental projects are: enhancing the facility’s recycling program to include plastic packaging materials; replacing petroleum-based oils in equipment with vegetable-based oils; replacing high-pressure sodium lighting with fluorescent lighting; and implementing an associate battery recycling program.

“Toyota Motor Sales, along with the rest of the Toyota family, continues to illustrate a strong commitment to our environment,” said Aaron Keatley, director of the Division of Compliance Assistance in the Department for Environmental Protection.  “Toyota Motor Sales’ actions to increase recycling while decreasing waste generation and energy use are clear examples of its ongoing effort to continually improve the facility’s environmental performance.  We are excited that Toyota Motor Sales has joined KY EXCEL as a Master member.”

KY EXCEL was launched in 2006 by the Department for Environmental Protection to encourage and recognize voluntary efforts that improve Kentucky’s environment.  Any individual, business or organization can learn more about KY EXCEL online at www.KYEXCEL.ky.gov or by calling the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance at (800) 926-8111.