Toyota Mississippi Experience Center Awarded LEED Platinum Certification

Rhea-AI Summary

Toyota (TM) has achieved a significant environmental milestone as its Mississippi Experience Center received LEED Platinum certification, making it one of only five facilities in Mississippi to earn this highest distinction. The 15,000-square-foot facility, opened in June 2022, showcases Toyota's environmental commitment through four key areas:

The center features a solar farm generating 7,000+ kilowatt hours monthly, strategic building placement for natural light utilization, and LED fixtures reducing light usage by 50%. Water conservation includes a 5,000-gallon underground tank for rainwater harvesting. The facility incorporates a bio-retention pond for natural water filtration and biodiversity support, while following circular economy principles through reclaimed materials usage and waste minimization during construction.

The facility serves as both an educational center for Toyota's principles and offers public tours of its manufacturing plant, where 2,400 employees produce the Toyota Corolla.

Positive

• Achieved LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of distinction
• Solar farm generates over 7,000 kilowatt hours monthly, equivalent to powering 7 homes
• 50% reduction in light usage through strategic building design and LED fixtures
• Innovative water conservation system with 5,000-gallon underground rainwater tank

Negative

• None.

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One of Five in Mississippi for Green Building Council's Highest Level of Distinction

BLUE SPRINGS, Miss., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum is the new gold standard at Toyota Mississippi after its Experience Center received a LEED Platinum certification.

The 15,000-square foot facility opened in June 2022 with an innovative flare for teaching the Toyota Way to guests from around the world. The concept is rooted in the company's principles for environmental performance and sustainability spanning across four key focus areas: Carbon, Water, Biodiversity and Circular Economy.

"The Mississippi Experience Center is a blend of innovation coupled with Toyota's fundamental environmental philosophy to make a better planet," said Sean McCarthy, Toyota Mississippi engineering manager. "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."

Carbon:

Taking center spotlight, the facility boasts a dedicated solar farm generating more than 7,000 kilowatt hours each month. That's enough to power seven Mississippi homes. But the brightest idea was strategically placing the building and windows to align with the stars—well, the only star in our solar system—leveraging natural light and LED fixtures to reduce light usage by 50 percent.

Water:

Toyota then opened the flood gates on water conservation and alternative usage methods. Whether from a subtle spring shower or a Mississippi monsoon, raindrops are directed from the building's roof into a 5,000-gallon underground holding tank to use for flushing the facility's toilets, saving fresh water for drinking and handwashing.

Biodiversity:

The site's unique bio-retention pond functions as a natural filtration system for rainwater runoff in the parking lot and provides a thriving eco-system for biodiversity. As storm water flows into the pond, it filters sediment naturally creating a habitat for local flora and fauna including the site's two indicator species: the Northern Bobwhite quail and Wood duck.

Circular Economy:

As sure as the world turns, so does Toyota's continued mission for a circular economy, which means optimizing resource use and minimizing waste across the entire production and consumption cycle. Simply put, reduce or eliminate waste, reuse and recycle. The Toyota Mississippi Experience Center leveraged this focus area by using reclaimed materials within the building while minimizing waste sent to the landfill during construction.

This project yielded no shortage of sustainable concepts, and the mission is still growing. Toyota is driving forward with its commitment to minimize environmental impacts, while helping employees create positive impacts on the planet and society.

Come see the Toyota Mississippi Experience Center for yourself. The team provides public tours of the facility and the manufacturing plant, where its 2,400 employees proudly assemble the Toyota Corolla. Book your tour today at www.TourToyota.com/MS.

To see the building's official LEED scorecard, visit https://www.usgbc.org/projects/toyota-ms-experience-center?view=scorecard.

About Toyota  

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota's plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 32 electrified options.

To help inspire the next generation for careers in advanced manufacturing, Toyota launched its in-person tour booking platform and virtual tour experience at www.TourToyota.com allowing guests to schedule a live tour to see several of our U.S. manufacturing facilities in action or visit all plants virtually from anywhere around the globe.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com. 

Media Contact:
Tiffannie Hedin
812-664-9104
tiffannie.hedin@toyota.com

 

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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

FAQ

What LEED certification did Toyota's Mississippi Experience Center receive?

Toyota's Mississippi Experience Center received LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of distinction from the Green Building Council, making it one of only five facilities in Mississippi with this certification.

How much energy does Toyota Mississippi Experience Center's solar farm generate?

The solar farm generates more than 7,000 kilowatt hours each month, enough to power seven Mississippi homes.

What sustainability features are included in Toyota's Mississippi Experience Center?

Key features include a solar farm, strategic building placement for natural light, LED fixtures, 5,000-gallon underground rainwater tank, bio-retention pond for water filtration, and use of reclaimed materials.

How many employees work at the Toyota Mississippi manufacturing plant?

The Toyota Mississippi manufacturing plant employs 2,400 workers who assemble the Toyota Corolla.