JACKSON, United States — Toyota designated a Mississippi manufacturing facility a model of environmentally-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy and planting trees.

The $1.3 billion facility, currently under construction in Blue Springs, in Northern Mississippi, is scheduled to begin operating in 2010. It is one of four plants around the world designated as being a "sustainable plant."

"This puts Toyota and Mississippi on the leading edge of a totally new concept in building automotive manufacturing plants that can truly live in harmony with the environment and local community," said Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour in a statement.

The Blue Springs plant will produce the company's Highlander sports utility vehicle. Toyota said it will drive environmental performance by introducing innovative technology and improvement activities but gave no further details. The plant will use renewable energy and tree-planting activities will be promoted.

The facility is one of five around the world that will engage in sustainable activities. The others are located in the United Kingdom, France, Thailand and Japan.