Ricoh Europe supports World Environment Day 2010 with its Global Eco Action Initiative

Tom Wagland, Manager, Environmental Management Group, Ricoh Europe says,” Raising environmental awareness amongst our customers, suppliers and employees forms a key element of Ricoh’s overall reduction strategy to reduce C02 consumption by 88% by 2050.  Impact reduction targets are applied to all areas of the business which include; manufacturing, business sites, product distribution and recycling of parts, consumables and products.”

This year will be the fifth time Ricoh has promoted the United Nations World Environment Day to its employees.  Every year Ricoh employees in all Ricoh companies across the world participate in the office and also take the message of environmental conservation and energy reduction home to their friends and family. Across the world billboards and advertisement towers are switched off for a minimum of 24 hours.  In Europe, activities include community events in local areas, employees checking the pressure of tyres to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions; car sharing, cycling and increased public transport for commuters.

This year Ricoh will turn off lights and electrical appliances wherever possible at the office and at home.  Many employees will choose to walk to work or travel by public transport and bicycle instead of using their cars.  Some Ricoh Europe Headquarter employees, based in London will allocate their working hours to a Thames21 “Three Rivers Clean-up” project supported by Business in the Community, contributing towards Ricoh’s work in the community as well as reducing energy usage in the office during the day through a variety of initiatives driven by the “Eco Warriors”.  Across Europe, additional activities include placing extra bike racks in the parking lot and demonstrating more efficient cars to employees.

Wagland says, “The Ricoh culture, our carbon management and strategic environmental approach has seen us gain a renowned reputation for excellence in sustainability.  In the last 5 years we have reduced our carbon footprint by 40,000 tonnes. We will continue focusing upon reduction, raising awareness and supporting our customers to reduce their carbon footprints while also driving profitability.”