TOTO's Small Package Shipments Now Carbon Neutral

MORROW, Ga., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- TOTO USA, a recognized leader in premium high-efficiency plumbing products and green manufacturing practices, today announced that it has further expanded its sustainable logistics initiatives by adding UPS's new carbon neutral shipping program to its energy-efficient supply chain.  Globally, TOTO is the first major company to do so.

Adding UPS's carbon neutral shipping program to its robust sustainability practices enables TOTO to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated by the transport of its small package shipments within the U.S.  A deciding factor in TOTO's decision to adopt UPS's new initiative is the fact that UPS's carbon neutral shipping program is verified and certified by independent third-party testing companies, a process that TOTO employs to validate its own high-efficiency products and environmental sustainability programs. TOTO expects to ship 75,000 carbon neutral packages in the first year.

Conservation minded, cost competitive, and focused on delivering unsurpassed value to its customers, TOTO continually strives to reduce its carbon footprint.  The company exceeds many standards for green manufacturing in its five North American plants – as well as in the more than 80 TOTO manufacturing facilities around the world.  Not only are these plants approaching 'Water Neutral' status, they have reduced all waste streams to nearly zero:

• Imperfect and damaged china is crushed for roadbed and construction.
• Post-industrial gray water is recycled to reduce potable water consumption.
• Kilns use pulse fire technology and reuse exhaust heat from the firing process.
• Green electricity from a gas-fired generator uses methane produced at a local landfill.
• Biodegradable soybean-based oils reduce reliance on carbon-based lubricants in all hydraulic systems.
• Plastics, aluminum, glass, cardboard, brass, pallets, and computer equipment are recycled.
• Water and electricity use is reduced to the minimum.
• Employees are encouraged to bring their recyclables to the plant if the city where they live does not provide recycling service.
• All TOTO facilities are ISO 14001:2004 certified.

"TOTO's passionate commitment to environmental stewardship began with its incorporation in Japan nearly one hundred years ago: it is part of our DNA," reports Lenora Campos, Ph.D., company spokesperson.  "Our dedication to protecting the planet's natural resources is at the heart of everything we do, from product design to manufacturing to logistics.  We use less and recycle more than any other plumbing manufacturer.  TOTO is proud to be the first company worldwide to incorporate UPS's carbon neutral initiative into our small package supply chain."

The new UPS program buys offsets on TOTO's behalf, which financially support environmentally responsible projects.  These projects include reforestation, wastewater treatment, methane destruction, and landfill gas destruction, among others, and help mitigate the effect of TOTO's shipping on the environment.

"We've heard from our customers that they wanted a way to reduce the climate impact of their supply chains and UPS carbon neutral shipping does just that," said Bob Stoffel, the UPS senior vice president who is responsible for sustainability.  "TOTO has been a long-time UPS customer and is known for their innovation and commitment to sustainable design.  This was a perfect match with our expertise and their sustainability objectives."

To highlight this aspect of their partnership, TOTO and UPS have collaborated on a multimedia case study, which explores the TOTO's history of sustainability and the new collaboration between the long-time partners on carbon neutral shipping with UPS's new program.  To view the video case study, please visit http://www.totousa.com/portals/0/videos/case-studies/toto_ups.swf or http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Media+Kits/Environment.  To read and/or download the print case study, please visit at visit http://www.totousa.com/Press/CaseStudies.aspx or http://www.pressroom.ups.com/Media+Kits/Environment.

About UPS:

UPS (NYSE: UPS) pursues a wide range of socially responsible and sustainable business practices designed to reduce impact on the environment and improve communities around the world.  UPS is included in the Dow Jones and FTSE4Good Sustainability Indexes, which evaluate corporations based on economic, environmental and social criteria.  Learn more about UPS's responsible business practices at www.ups.com/responsibility.

About TOTO:

TOTO is the largest plumbing manufacturer in the world with 80 affiliated production facilities globally.  Since 1917, TOTO Ltd., Japan, has been a pioneer in high-performance plumbing systems that bring consumers superbly designed water and energy efficient products.  In 1989, TOTO entered the US market with a driving commitment to enhance the human experience by innovating water technologies of the highest order, while passionately protecting the planet's natural resources.  The winner of numerous domestics and international awards and recognitions, TOTO USA is certified by ISO 14004:2004 and ISO 9001:2000.  The only plumbing manufacturer to be honored as Water Efficiency Leader by the Environmental Protection Agency, TOTO seeks perfection by design as it continuously innovates sustainable water technologies that enhance the lives of its customers and the environment.  TOTO USA continues to raise industry standards and consumer expectations as to what is possible in the bath space, as its name is synonymous with beauty, performance, and craftsmanship.

For more information, consumers may visit www.totousa.com or call 888.295.8534, Option 5.

SOURCE TOTO USA