Sustainability Initiatives

Here at ILAM Toyota, we take our commitment to creating a better environment very seriously. So seriously, in fact, we are Enviro-Mark Diamond Certified. This is the highest tier achievable in this globally recognised certification, which exceeds the requirements of ISO 14001, and we try to raise the bar with each new initiative we take on.

Toitū is to care for the life of this place, our people, and our future. We are proud to be Toitū Enviromark Diamond Certified. Having an independently certified environmental management system means our commitment to the environment is backed by robust and verifiable operational activity.

• Replaced passenger loan vehicle fleet with hybrids from our Toyota passenger range.
• Switched our custom takeaway plastic water bottles to glass.
• Glasses and coffee cups available in lounges to reduce use of takeaway cups.
• Cardboard and paper collected by OJI who are part of a full circle recycling scheme.
• Hot water, chilled filtered water, and coffee machines provided for staff to encourage to avoid single-use drink purchases.
• Recycling scrap metal, soft plastics, tyres, oil, cardboard, cans, bottles, batteries, ewaste and toner cartridges.
• Annually hosting a community eco-project, such as a beach cleanup.
• Donating annually to Trees For Canterbury.
• Working to halve our total water consumption on site.
• Annually reviewing our chemicals and substances to find safer, more eco-responsible alternatives.
• Conducting monthly internal site audits and review our environmental impacts and performance.
• Emergency spill control program in place to protect the environment and training carried out for all staff.
• Work Ride scheme participants, New Zealand’s ride-to-work benefit scheme designed to get more people riding and living healthier lives.

In line with our long-term sustainability goals, in 2024 we installed an impressive 134 solar panels across the dealership. This 55kW system, equipped with both production and consumption monitoring, will help power all aspects of our business, including vehicle sales, parts, service, and administration.

Every year, we head to the beach (in Toyotas, of course) to clean up our local coast and surrounding areas. After a hearty breakfast, the crew head off with bags in hand to spend the next few hours picking up rubbish in the area.

It’s a great opportunity for us to not only clean up the local beach but also protect the marine and wildlife who call it their home.

We're excited to announce that we're rolling out a whole bunch of new EV charging stations for both our dealership and our amazing customers. Our friends at Aotea Electrical are on the job, and we've already got the chargers ready to go. Keep an eye out for these upgrades when you’re next visiting.

We are committed to protecting the environment, the safety of our employees and the health of the communities where we conduct our business.

• We sell vehicles designed using 'life cycle analysis' which minimises their environmental impacts during production, use on the road and eventual disposal;
• We are independently audited to the Diamond level of Toitū Enviromark to ensure high standards of environmental performance and a safe work place;
• We conduct our business in compliance with all relevant local, regional and national regulations and industry codes;
• We have identified our environmental risks and impacts and apply continuous improvement to reduce them in our operations and value chain, including:
  • the efficient use of energy, resources and water;
  • preventing pollution and reducing waste;
  • the safe removal, storage, handling, recycling and disposal of hazardous materials; and
  • procedures to avoid and correct accidents or spillages;
• We have appointed D Smithson as our 'Environmental Champion' to regularly review and continually improve our operations and environmental performance;
• We aim to raise the environmental understanding and actions of our employees with appropriate information, training and support.

At ILAM Toyota, sustainability is a key focus. For the past 16 years, we have partnered with Fulton Hogan in a groundbreaking initiative known as ROSE—Recovery of Oil Saves the Environment. This long-standing partnership ensures that the waste oil generated at our dealership is responsibly recycled and repurposed, significantly reducing environmental impact.

The ROSE Product Stewardship Scheme has been recognised for its contribution to sustainability. In 2018, it was accredited by the Associate Minister for the Environment, Hon Eugenie Sage, under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. This accreditation underscores our commitment to the environment and reflects the importance of responsible waste management in preserving our planet for our tamariki.

We are dedicated to continuing this initiative, as it aligns with our broader goals of reducing our carbon footprint and promoting a better future for all.

Our busy lives mean we spend a lot of time travelling around in our cars. All this driving can cost a lot of money in fuel, as well as generating unnecessary air pollution. But there are some simple ways in which we can reduce these.