Tsutsumi-Prius Manufacturing Plant

Toyota New Zealand (TNZ) sources Toyota Prius from the Tsutsumi manufacturing plant in Aichi prefecture, Japan. Tsutsumi is one of the original five* Toyota ‘Sustainable Plants’ announced in 2007. These plants aim to integrate three basic concepts:

• Energy reduction.
• Energy conversion.
• Local community involvement and environmental protection.

The Tsutsumi manufacturing plant has been certified ISO 14001 since 1996 and requires suppliers/contractors to meet green purchasing guidelines.

Key features at Tsutsumi:

Site power

• 15,000 square metres of rooftop solar panels generating up to 2,000 kilowatts of energy an hour, equivalent to the power used by 500 households.
• Power is sourced from a highly efficient gas co-generation system.
• Sunlight ducts channel natural light into areas of the building with no windows.
• Energy-efficient lighting, control systems that cut the levels of electricity used outside normal production hours, and regular staff energy patrols ensure electricity is not wasted.

Waste

• Since 2000, waste to landfill has been eliminated through measures preventing paint sediment, waste plastic, wastewater sediment and recycling.
• Incinerated waste is reduced by promoting operating efficiencies, careful resource use and improved yields.

Water

• Tsutsumi uses 3,300 cubic metres of water a day. This is processed through an on-site wastewater treatment system.
• Water-quality testing of the water discharged back into the environment is conducted to internal standards that are stricter than regulatory requirements.

Air pollution

• 112,687 square metres of exterior walls are coated in photocatalytic paint, which releases oxygen when activated by light energy to neutralise harmful airborne toxins such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides.
• Low-sulphur heavy oil is used in all applications.
• Dust collectors, hoods and cast-metal back filters are installed on all equipment that discharges soot and dust.
• Turf-covered rooftops act as a heat sink and also help to remove air pollutants.

Noise

• Noisy power equipment is located in the central part of every building, and fitted with low-noise devices.
• Vibration-proof and sound-absorbing materials line walls and screens.

Nature conservation

• In 2008, 50,000 native broadleaf trees were planted around the factory, to restore the traditional Japanese satoyama forest native to the region and encourage wildlife at the site.
• By 2018, the Biotope Tsutumi**of approximately 2,800 square metres of waterside habitats, grassland and forest was established. Endangered plants and fish were introduced to help support wild populations. ‘Indicator species’ and ecological surveys measure the biotope’s health.

* The four others are: TMMMS (USA); TMUK (England);TMMF (France); and TMT (Thailand).

** Biotope: an ecological habitat for wildlife.

• Tags:
• Environment
• Prius