By Wright Communications - 19 January 2012
Ricoh has been named best sustainability performer in the global IT industry by influential German rating agency Oekom Research, which praised Ricoh for its unstinting commitment to corporate responsibility.
Oekom Research carried out an extensive study of more than 200
IT companies worldwide, and named Ricoh and Intel™ joint number
one.
The firm is one of the world's leading rating agencies around
sustainable investment, using rigorous evaluation to assess social
and environmental sustainability.
Ricoh New Zealand Managing Director Mike Pollok says Oekom
Research's top ranking is the latest in a series of independent
global accolades Ricoh has received for a focus on its customers,
its people, and the environment.
"We are proud to be part of an organisation which has
demonstrated real commitment to investing in corporate
responsibility since the 1970s, from the environmental impact of
its products through to working conditions and community support,"
says Mike Pollok.
"Oekom noted Ricoh's leadership in terms of the sustainable
design of its products and the reduced energy consumption of its
printers and multi-function devices in recent years."
As part of its in-depth investigation, Oekom Research focused on
key IT-related issues including: working conditions in the supply
chain; reduction/substitution of hazardous components; return,
recycling, re-use of products; and customer information on
potential energy savings and hazardous substances.
"As Ricoh New Zealand's annual sustainability reporting shows,
we have a major focus on our innovative toner cartridge recycling
programme, and take responsibility for recycling end-of-life
machines to an extremely high level.
"These are both areas where we have significantly reduced our
environmental impact."
Oekom Research acknowledged the convenient options Ricoh
provides for customers to return used appliances and the large
quantities of recycled materials or re-used components in certain
products. Ricoh was also recognised for gaining ISO 14001 at all of
its major production sites.
Mike Pollok says Ricoh's global corporate responsibility
combines ecological concerns with best business practise to drive
sustainability and profitability.
"Oekom noted that Ricoh is one of the few companies in its
industry to commit to an extra-long term environmental vision. By
2050, Ricoh will reduce its environmental impact globally by 87.5
per cent, compared to 2000 levels."
This latest award follows a series of international accolades in
2011:
- Named one of the 'Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in
the World' by Corporate Knights for the seventh consecutive
year
- Named one of the 2011 World's Most Ethical Companies by the
Ethisphere Institute for the third year running
- Listed for the eighth consecutive year in the FTSE4 Good
Index.
Ricoh was the first company worldwide to launch three 100 per
cent eco-powered electronic billboards, in New York's Times Square,
London, and North Sydney.
"Ricoh is always seeking new and innovative ways to allow us to
combine business benefits with socially responsible actions," says
Mike Pollok.
Ends