Toyota Mississippi Experience Center Achieves Prestigious LEED Platinum Certification for Sustainability

Toyota's commitment to sustainability and innovation has reached new heights with the recent recognition of its Mississippi Experience Center, which has been awarded the highly coveted LEED Platinum certification. This notable distinction underscores the center's dedication to environmentally friendly practices and sustainable building design.

A New Standard for Green Buildings

Located in Blue Springs, Mississippi, the Experience Center spans an impressive 15,000 square feet and opened its doors to the public in June 2022. The facility serves as a hub for educating visitors on the renowned Toyota Way, while also exemplifying the automaker’s commitment to sustainability across various dimensions—specifically, carbon reduction, water conservation, biodiversity, and the circular economy. This certification places the Toyota Mississippi Experience Center among an elite group, as it is one of only five facilities in the state to achieve such a high level of sustainability recognition.

Innovation at the Core

Sean McCarthy, the engineering manager at Toyota Mississippi, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, "The Mississippi Experience Center is a blend of innovation coupled with Toyota's fundamental environmental philosophy to make a better planet. We're proud our facility is one of five in the state at this level, and we hope it sets an example for others to build sustainably and do what's right for the future of our planet."

Key Sustainable Features

1. Carbon Management

At the forefront of its environmental initiatives, the facility boasts a dedicated solar farm that generates over 7,000 kilowatt-hours each month—enough energy to power seven homes in Mississippi. Not confined to just solar panels, Toyota has strategically designed the center to optimize natural light while incorporating LED fixtures, achieving a remarkable 50% reduction in lighting energy usage.

2. Water Conservation

Water sustainability is another cornerstone of the Experience Center's design. The facility captures rainwater from its roof, channeling it into a massive underground reservoir with a 5,000-gallon capacity. This collected water is then used for toilet flushing, ensuring that precious drinking water remains reserved for essential uses such as cooking and handwashing.

3. Biodiversity Initiatives

The center features a unique bio-retention pond that serves as a natural filtration system for rainwater runoff while enhancing local biodiversity. As stormwater flows into the pond, it filters out sediment and provides habitat for a range of flora and fauna, including local species like the Northern Bobwhite quail and Wood duck.

4. Circular Economy Practices

Toyota’s drive towards a circular economy is evident throughout the Experience Center. The design emphasizes resource optimization and waste minimization by using reclaimed materials in the construction process, effectively reducing refuse sent to landfills.

Looking Ahead

The Toyota Mississippi Experience Center is not only a showcase of sustainable architecture and practices but also a testament to Toyota's unwavering commitment to reducing environmental impacts while fostering a positive influence on society. With public tours available, individuals are encouraged to explore how Toyota's innovative practices are paving the way for a sustainable future. Visitors can book tours at TourToyota.com/MS and witness firsthand the assembly of the popular Toyota Corolla by the center's 2,400 employees.

To see the official LEED scorecard for the building and learn more about its sustainable features, please visit the US Green Building Council website.

About Toyota

Toyota has been an integral part of the American cultural landscape for nearly 70 years, and the company is dedicated to advancing sustainable mobility through its brands, Toyota and Lexus, as well as its extensive dealer network. The company employs nearly 48,000 people across the U.S. and has produced over 35 million vehicles in its 11 manufacturing plants. In a sustainable future, the North Carolina plant will soon begin manufacturing automotive batteries for electrified vehicles, complementing Toyota's extensive range of electrified options available today. To inspire future generations about careers in advanced manufacturing, Toyota has launched an online platform allowing visitors to schedule live or virtual tours of U.S. manufacturing facilities.

For further information about Toyota and its initiatives, visit Toyota Newsroom.