Environment

The Ricoh Group has always been a company driven by a desire to lower its environmental impact and over the years we’ve also helped our customers do the same. Our founding philosophy of sustainable innovation has helped shape key policies throughout the Group and led to a strong CSR division, resulting in a number of environmental achievements and awards along the way. Where other companies have ideals, we have actions which bring tangible benefits, both ecological and economic.

Exceeding Expectation

Ricoh’s deep-rooted environmental philosophy has resulted in the Group not only meeting European legislation, but also exceeding it.

As environmental legislation continues to increase, we continually look for ways to stay well ahead of the curve.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

The WEEE regulations require the weight of products put onto the market to be strictly measured, and all minimum recycling requirements to be met. In accordance to our overarching philosophy, we ensure that no machine waste ends in landfill and product parts are reused in our refurbishment programs wherever possible.

Information Security Management System (ISMS)

We ensure that every machine we collect has its hard drive wiped clean to ensure data protection and comply with the ISMS.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

This ensures no electrical or electronic equipment is put on the market containing any banned substances and we often exceed the targets set. Placing the health and safety of both our staff and customers at the forefront, we have currently placed a ban on an additional 6 substances not required by the RoHS regulations.

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

This new legislation requires the registration and management of all chemical substances used in business, however we have taken this a step further creating a strict Chemical Substance Management System that extends throughout our supply chain.

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations

These regulations require companies to detail the extent of their recycling activities and we strictly adhere to these packaging regulations, providing evidence of our recovery and recycling achievements on an annual basis.

Recycling

Each Ricoh product begins and ends in recycling and the reuse of materials, in line with our aim for a totally sustainable corporation. This strategy is illustrated in the Comet Circle, a holistic framework demonstrating how each stakeholder works with Ricoh to fulfil their part.

Toner bottle recycling

Only about 15% of the sixty five million printer ink and toner cartridges used in the U.K. are recycled. The majority end up in landfill, where it can take more than a thousand years for them to break down. Although some cartridges can be refilled, once toner bottles are empty, they cannot be refilled or reused. Consequently, many third party refillers do not collect them, resulting in a large proportion in landfill sites.

The Ricoh and eRECO partnership

Ricoh believe in a product lifecycle approach to the environment called “The Whole Journey”. The environmental impact of its products are analysed at every step of the lifecycle and steps are taken to minimise this impact.  eRECO is a WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) disposal specialist. Its experienced team of recycling professionals work in partnership with Ricoh to optimise the current collection and recycling schemes Ricoh have in place to ensure toner cartridges and bottles never find their way into landfill sites.

The Service

The print consumable scheme is straight forward and user-friendly:

• Companies that sign up to scheme receive specially designed toner collection bags and cable ties. On average, the bags hold approximately twenty four units
• The scheme is also able to recycle the cardboard packaging which can be included in the bags
• Once full, participants call the dedicated freephone number or email to arrange collection (usually within 24 hours to most UK locations).
• eRECO will provide duty of care waste transfer notes at this stage that can be used in environmental audits
• In receipt of the bags, eRECO asset tracks the contents of each bag and begins the recycling process. Participants receive a full asset report which provides details such as the model types collected and total consignment weights. These reports can help with achieving and maintaining ISO14001: 2004 accreditation or EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) approval

If you would like to participate in the scheme, it costs £40 per bag which includes provision of the bag, collection and tracking of materials sent for recycling.

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