Ricoh is among the top 100 green companies
Ricoh is recognised at the Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, as one of the most environmentally successful corporations in the world.
Shiro Kondo, Ricoh CEO, said that the company was honoured to be rated as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World for the ninth year. He said the award recognizes companies that are best positioned to thrive in a ‘clean capitalism’ economy. “Clean capitalism incorporates social, economic, ecological benefits and costs. It also indicates that organizations know the full impacts of their actions,” he said.
The sentiment was echoed by Les Richardson, (right) managing director, Ricoh Australia, who said it was highly rewarding to be awarded again. “At Ricoh, our environmental management policy is one of our highest corporate priorities and it is this vision that directs our overall approach to sustainability and continued success as an environmentally focused organisation,” he said.
Mariko Azuma, General Manager of CSR Division, (pictured below) said, “Ricoh has been named in the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations list since its inception in 2005. Such recognition is a great affirmation to Ricoh and our employees that our focus on sustainable business operations is making a real impact.
“In particular the awarding body recognized our achievements in three areas: First in resource management, where we continue to be committed to carbon reduction in all our activities, second in financial management where our innovative approach was highlighted and finally for employee management with an emphasis on safety and diversity.”
The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World is the most extensive corporate sustainability assessment in existence, with 4,000 companies evaluated and inclusion limited to a select group of the top 100 large-cap companies in the world. The prestigious recognition tops another year of accolades for Ricoh’s commitment to sustainability in its own business, and for its customers around the world.
The award is also recognition of Ricoh’s long-term commitment to sustainability. Every year it produces a Sustainability Report. An essential component is a review of the company’s Sustainable Environmental Management, which is designed to contribute to environmental conservation while at the same time generating profits.
In the 2012 Report the Ricoh sustainable management philosophy was laid out… We specifically focus on the development of energy efficient products, cost reductions though efficient use of energy and resources, the development of alternatives to depleting natural resources, and the development and promotion of a work style that improves operational and energy efficiency, among others. Through these activities, we are striving for early development and implementation of a business model that helps create a sustainable society that generates minimal environmental impact.
Ricoh recognises the necessity for company to commit to Sustainability even when the economic environment may not be buoyant. We recognize that very limited benefits will come from our environmental conservation efforts if we only conduct them actively during prosperous, financially strong times and then neglect them to place more importance on profits in difficult times. We must make solid, continuous efforts towards the long-term objective of making our environmental conservation activities effective enough to make a difference.
As part of Rich’s Sustainable Environmental Management, the company has set a goal to reduce new input of resources by 25% by 2020 from the 2007 level. This involves utilizing resources in the most effective way possible and minimizing the use of non-recycled virgin resources during production. A major focus is the development of alternative materials, the use of renewable resources, recycling and waste reduction. We believe that these efforts are important initiatives that play a part in mitigating the risks of resource depletion and deforestation.
To download Ricoh’s global sustainability report visit