“THINK & ACT” is a worldwide Ricoh Group internal awareness programme for an annual recurring day in which staff is encouraged to think how their actions can contribute to the reduction of energy consumption. At the heart of the programme is the message that on United Nations’ World Environment Day, June 5, all staff should think about the environment and, whenever possible, switch off appliances that use electricity. The aim is to contribute to the Ricoh Group’s target to reduce 1% CO2 per employee per year, despite turnover increase.
“Last year’s success made Ricoh decide to repeat its Global Eco Action Day,” says Masamichi Oishi, head of Environmental Management Office at Ricoh Europe (Netherlands) B.V. ”A total of 83 Ricoh Group companies in 25 countries participated in last years campaign. Under the motto “OFF & THINK” the overall impact was estimated at 31,901 kWh of electricity saved and 12 tons of CO2 emissions reduced. This contribution is a further step to promote personal thinking about the environment.”
347 Ricoh Group companies contribute to the Global Eco Action day by reducing electricity consumption worldwide. Switching off lights and electric appliances wherever possible during daytime is one of the concrete actions. Another one is switching off some advertising signs at corporate offices and other locations for one day. At all European operations of the Ricoh Group, employees are motivated to contribute by their own actions.
Environmental management is a vital issue for Ricoh. Where all its Group Companies are ISO 14001 certified, at all stages in of the product life cycle from design to recycling, much attention is given to minimising environmental impact. Furthermore, the company has received many coveted environment awards, such as the WEC Gold Medal for Environmental Achievement and “Carbon Leader” in energy efficient design, awarded by a UK based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO). As the first major Japanese company Ricoh subscribed to “e-mission55.”
Offsetting of CO2 emissions in The Netherlands will be realised in co-operation with Climate Neutral Group. Climate Neutral Group offers services to offset carbon emissions caused by a wide variety of activities. These activities include driving, flying and heating/cooling of offices and other buildings. These services are available both for companies and individuals.
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About Ricoh
Ricoh Europe (Netherlands) B.V. is the European headquarters of Ricoh Company Ltd., the leading global manufacturer of office equipment, located in Amstelveen, The Netherlands. It is responsible for marketing, sales and service of Ricoh products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In Europe, Ricoh has three manufacturing sites: two at Ricoh UK Products Ltd. Telford, UK; GR Advanced Materials Ltd., Stirling, UK; and Ricoh Industrie France S.A., Colmar, France. In addition, Ricoh Europe’s European network comprises 14 sales subsidiaries and affiliates. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, revenues from Ricoh’s European operations totalled over € 3 billion, accounting for 22.5% of the company’s global revenues. Ricoh’s worldwide sales increased by 5.6% totalling ¥ 1,915.0 billion.
About Climate Neutral Group
Please check www.climateneutralgroup.com
For further information please contact:
Ricoh Europe (Netherlands) B.V.
Peter T. Van der Kaag
Tel.: +31 (0)20 54 74 153
Fax: +31 (0)20 54 74 222
E-mail:postmaster@ricoh-europe.com
Home page:http://www.ricoh-europe.com
