TOYOTA CITY, Japan ― Toyota City is not only the home of Toyota Motor Corp., but a place where Toyota constantly brainstorms environmentally sustainable policies to put into practice both at home and abroad.

These efforts can be easily witnessed at a number of Toyota’s facilities here, including its low-carbon plant, a nature school and, last but not least, the Toyota Eco-ful Town.

Eco-ful Town opened in the heart of the city in 2012. Since then, more than 22,000 people have visited.

Comprised of features such as a “smarthouse,” a hydrogen station and a multi-mobile station, the town is touted as a chance to experience eco-friendly living. 

The smarthouse is based on the Home Energy Management System that links energy from solar power generation, fuel cells, and other low-CO2 energy sources to water heaters, household storage batteries, batteries in next-generation vehicles and other energy-storing devices.

Making all this possible are the solar panels covering the rooftop ― the main source of the home energy storage system.

Ha:mo, a low-carbon transportation system, is another example. Ha:mo Ride is a car-sharing system that utilizes super-compact electric autos built for one to be used for short distances that can’t be covered by public transportation.

These cars operate according to their own navigation system, which also shows where the cars can be parked and picked up to be shared with other users.

Toyota’s Tsutsumi plant is another living example of the carmaker’s future-orientated endeavors.

Built in 1970, the plant has produced over 15 million units. Daily, it churns out 1,442 vehicles. Among those from assembly line No. 1, 81 percent are hybrids, while 96 percent from the second line are.

They include models such as the Prius, Scion tC and Camry.

According to the carmaker, the Tsutsumi plant operates on three pillars: a staff with high levels of environmental awareness, renewable energy resources and reforestation.

The first is pursued with Toyota’s continual education and training for employees, while efforts to create renewable energy are reflected in its choice of eco-friendly construction materials for the factory.

Reforestation, meanwhile, is conducted in joint efforts with the community. More than 50,000 new trees are now growing in Toyota City.

The plant itself is surrounded by trees and ponds that also were built by Toyota employees and the residents.

The Toyota nature school, located in Shirakawa-go near a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the third pillar for Toyota’s eco program.

The institute opened as a nonprofit organization in 2005, and currently a total of 40 corporations and 270 individuals are members. Aside from the education programs, the facility itself is billed as being entirely environmentally friendly, including a cooling system using snow that has reduced CO2 emissions by 4,400 kilograms per year.

By Kim Ji-hyun, Korea Herald correspondent

(jemmie@heraldcorp.com)