The thinking behind the Ricoh
Group’s social contribution
activities is to try to communicate
with society through the company,
its employees, and shareholders
and to contribute to creating a richer
society. In line with this principle,
Ricoh’s social contributions focus
on environmental conservation and
providing young people with sound
values. In implementing activities,
each Ricoh employee believes in
“fostering attitudes and actions
that value human beings and the
Earth” and takes action based on
this concept. Ricoh conducts global
activities transcending regional
and national borders—through the
use of corporate capital, including
know-how, technologies and human
resources cultivated through our
business activities—and ultimately,
Ricoh’s social contribution activities
span the globe.
| Social Contribution Program Linking Ricoh, Its Employees and Its Shareholders |
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Social contribution
reserve system |
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Ricoh has a social contribution reserve system
that ensures stable and continuous social
contributions. In accordance with this system,
which was approved at the shareholders’ meeting
in 1998, the Board of Directors’ meeting approved
a measure to allocate a portion of profits toward
three types of social contributions: the Ichimura
Nature School Kanto, the Ricoh Science Caravan,
and Forest ecosystem conservation programs.
The reserve is now used for these activities.
The Ichimura Nature School*, located in
Kanagawa and Saga Prefectures, offer programs
based on the concept of “learning how to earn a
living from Mother Earth.” Every other weekend
from March to November, children of various
ages spend three days and two nights together
at the school’s facilities. Through agricultural
experiences like planting and harvesting,
children learn first-hand the significance of
nature, joys of harvesting and an appreciation
for food. Together, they follow the basic rules
of “not offering children too much instruction,
orders, lessons or excessive care” in order to
nurture three societal values (care for nature,
care for others and observation of basic rules)
as well as the two abilities (independence, and
an ability to recognize safety and danger.) These
experiences help build a sense of independence,
responsibility and cooperation among children.
Ricoh Science Caravan is an activity developed
nationwide centering on a scientific experience
program. This initiative is aimed at enabling
children to experience the mechanism of a
copier through experiments under the guidance
of Ricoh’s design engineers, to increase their
interest in science, in an age of decreasing
scientific interest among children. Volunteers from among the Ricoh Group employees
working near the event venues support the
operation of this project.
On the earth, various life habitats exist and unique ecosystems are maintained in forests, lakes and ponds, coral reefs, and oceans. If these ecosystems are damaged, the natural environment that is indispensable for maintaining the life of human beings will be harmed. Ricoh places priority particularly on forest ecosystems with rich biodiversity and has been promoting forest ecosystem conservation projects since fiscal 1999 in partnership with environmental NPOs and local communities. Unlike simple afforestation, the main aim of these activities is to protect the habitats of indigenous species and the life of residents, and in such activities, priority is given to creating a partnership with environmental NPOs and local residents. The projects are financed by the social contribution reserve that Ricoh established to continuously carry out social contribution activities.
Ricoh Forest Ecosystem Conservation
Projects 
FreeWill is a social contribution club founded in
January 1999 as an employee-led grass roots
organization. Members contribute a fraction of
their monthly salaries and bonuses (less than
¥100 from an employee’s monthly salary and
less than ¥1,000 from his/her bonus), which
is then allocated toward a wide range of social
contribution activities, mainly support for nonprofit
organizations (NPOs) active in various
fields. Contributions have totaled more than
¥26.60 million to date, offered to a cumulative
230 organizations. In addition to donating funds,
Ricoh will aim for social contribution activities involving more employee participation by
developing programs in collaboration with NPOs
receiving our support.
For the conservation of the global environment, it is important for each staff member to carry out related activities spontaneously inside and outside the company, maintaining a sense of being a global citizen. Ricoh launched the Environmental Volunteer Leader Development Program in June 1999 for its staff members. In fiscal 2001, the scope of the program was expanded to include staff members working at Group companies as well as retired employees. By the end of fiscal 2008, 452 environmental volunteer leaders, including directors, had been fostered. After taking part in the program, each participant engages in volunteer activities involving his or her division or community. The network of activities successfully increased its range from colleagues, families and friends to entire local communities.
Environmental Volunteer Leader Development Program
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Environment
Additional information on Ricoh's sustainable environmental management is available.
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