TOKYO — Toyota said Wednesday it will boost the use of \”green\” plastic in its vehicles, beginning with an unnamed hybrid vehicle next year. Presumably, that vehicle is the redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius, which is set for a formal unveiling next month at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

The Japanese automaker said its \”ecological plastics\” will be used in scuff plates, headliners, seat cushions and other interior vehicle parts. \”Within 2009, TMC aims for ecological plastic to account for approximately 60 percent of the interior components in vehicles that feature it,\” the company said.

The ecological plastic comes from either plant-derived materials or a combination of plant- and petroleum-derived materials, according to Toyota. The benefit, it explains, is that such material reduces petroleum use and emits less CO2 during a product\’s life cycle.