Welland Toyota becomes third Toyota dealership in Canada to attain LEED Gold certification

TOYOTA CANADA - Toyota Canada is an environmental sustainability leader in many ways, from offering eco-friendly hybrid vehicles to partnering with like-minded organizations such as Earth Day Canada and Evergreen. That commitment to environmental sustainability is also being demonstrated by Canadian Toyota dealers in their local communities.

Most recently, Welland Toyota achieved a special milestone. As part of a $3.2 million project to create a state-of-the-art, 2,028-square-metre building, Welland Toyota incorporated a host of green elements to become the third Toyota dealership in Canada to obtain Gold Certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Toyota in North America is leading the industry with 41 facilities certified to LEED, including 11 Toyota and Lexus facilities and 30 Toyota and Lexus dealerships.

The state-of-the-art Welland facility boasts many leading-edge features that have resulted in substantially reduced use of water and energy, along with much less waste. Highlights include:

· Savings of 100% on landscape irrigation, 97% on sewage conveyance, and 85% on potable water – as a result of low-flow fixtures and a 50-cubic-metre cistern to capture rainwater, plus having an on-site storm-water treatment system;
· Using reclaimed water for washing vehicles, to save 600 cubic metres per year of water;
· Energy cost savings of 54% through radiant floor heating, high-efficiency boilers, VRF cooling, best-practices lighting, and a roof-finished in reflective materials to reduce energy demands in the summer;
· Using FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) certified products, ensuring that wood products came from sustainably grown forests;
· Diverting 92% (131 tonnes) of construction waste from landfill, while using 17% recycled materials in construction, with 25% of materials regionally sourced;
· Successfully testing indoor air quality prior to moving in; and,
· Initiating a comprehensive green housekeeping program.

"We take great pride in this outstanding new facility that demonstrates how good business and doing what's right for the environment can go hand in hand," said George Farlow, Dealer Principal of Welland Toyota. "We're excited about serving our customers in a home that serves as a model in the Niagara region, setting the highest possible standard of excellence in environmental design."

For more information on Toyota's environmental initiatives, please visit toyota.ca/environment.