Endorsing the
Kyoto Protocol, Ricoh promotes a reduction
in total greenhouse gas emissions.
In July
2001, Ricoh joined e-mission 55, a signature-collecting
campaign that was conducted by companies
supporting the Kyoto Protocol. Ricoh was
the first leading manufacturer in Japan
to sign the document and make a commitment
to the environment. In fiscal 2002, increased
production of supplies and semiconductors,
the manufacture of which requires significant
amounts of energy, was the primary reason
for Ricoh's higher energy consumption. The
Ricoh Group, however, has set a number of
energy conservation goals to help prevent
global warming and it will continue working
to reduce energy consumption. Greenhouse
gases other than CO2 are expected
to be cut 10% from their 1995 level by the
end of fiscal 2010.
| The
Ricoh Group's Goals for Reducing CO2
emissions (Total Amount Emitted) |
| |
|
Goal
for fiscal 2004 (compared to fiscal
2000 figures) |
Goal
for fiscal 2010 |
| Japan |
Ricoh and Ricoh
Group manufacturing subsidiaries |
2%
reduction |
12% reduction
*13% reduction for Ricoh (compared
to fiscal 1990 figures) |
 |
| Ricoh Group nonmanufacturing
subsidiaries |
2%
reduction |
|
|
| Outside Japan |
Ricoh Group manufacturing
subsidiaries |
2%
reduction |
10% reduction
(compared to fiscal 1998 figures) |
|
Installation of New Air-Conditioning
Systems  (Japan)
|
Much of the equipment
at Ricoh Microelectronics Co., Ltd.
plants produces heat, making 24-hour
air conditioning indispensable. Air
conditioning accounts for more than
half the total energy consumption
at these plants. In May 2002, the
company installed new air-conditioning
systems that combine an ice thermal
storage system and a chilled water
system for improved environmental
performance and economic efficiency.
The systems enable 24-hour operation
by making ice and chilled water at
night.
Replacement of the heavy oil thermal power generation system has reduced carbon
dioxide emissions by 866 tons and electric power and water utility expenses
by approximately 14.3 million yen.
 Click here for Segment Environmental Accounting.
|
 |
Brine screw
chiller
Ice thermal
storage tank |
Achieving Environmental Conservation
and Cost Reduction Simultaneously
through TPM (Japan)
|
Ricoh's Fukui Plant is engaged in environmental conservation
activities under the slogan, "Environmental
conservation is a mission we should accomplish."Extending
to environmental conservation the goal of
improving its total productive maintenance
(TPM), whereby all employees pay continuous
attention to their daily activities, the
plant achieved Zero-Waste-to-Landfill through
such efforts as saving raw materials, avoiding
waste in manufacturing, and streamlining
business activities. Fukui Plant also worked
to reduce CO2 emissions and drew
up plans for each production line, aiming
to maximize energy efficiency throughout
the plant. This has enabled the plant to
achieve environmental conservation and cost
reductions simultaneously, resulting in
savings equivalent to 900 tons of CO2
emissions and ¥16 million yen in power
and kerosene costs in fiscal 2002.
Improvement of Lighting Equipment (Japan)
|
As a part of the
renovation project at Ricoh's Atsugi Plant,
the water tower was painted in organic fluorescent
paint, and spotlights were replaced with
black lights, resulting in a reduction of
CO2 emissions by 11.3 tons and
savings of ¥440,000 per year. Replacing
the footlights along sidewalks outside the
plant with solar-powered lamps reduced CO2
emissions by one ton and electricity charges
by ¥20,000 per year. Photocalytic reaction
in the paint is able to break down 5.7 kilograms
of NOx in the air annually.
United States: Optimizing Airconditioning
Control  (The
United States)
|
At the California
plant of Ricoh Electronics, Inc. (REI) chillers
are used to prevent molding devices from
overheating. If the room temperature is
too low, however, condensation occurs, which
means the room must be heated. By conducting
tests to optimize the operation of heaters
and chillers, the plant was able to reduce
power consumption in air conditioning and
heating by 80%.
Shenzhen: Energy Conservation
at RAI  (China)
|
| Ricoh Asia Industry
(Shenzhen) Ltd., which is facing increased
production demand, is making earnest
efforts at environmental conservation.
Examples include replacing conveyor
belts used to manufacture leading
models with those that operate intermittently,
improving air conditioning refrigerants,
and making effective use of insulation
to maintain the appropriate temperature
for molding devices. In these ways,
RAI is promoting an approach to sustainable
management in which all employees
participate in reducing energy consumption,
thereby helping to prevent global
warming and cut costs. |
|
Intermittent
operation production line |
|
