|
Nikkei Ecology, November 2001 |
Regarding the meaning of the blooming on a global scale of the culture of "Zero Waste", which originated from Japan. Ricoh Group factories in Europe present this report. |
Staff assigned to the Zero-Waste-to-Landfill at Ricoh S.A. "RIF" "left" and Ricoh UK Products Ltd. "RPL" "right"
|
|
The Ricoh group is not only promoting global "Zero Waste" activities, but also trying to spread the idea or activities of environmental conservation in the regions where its factories are located. All our factories in America and Mexico accomplished Zero Waste by March 2001 and RIF in France in June 2000 and RPL in UK in September 2001 respectively. As a result, the Ricoh Group has realized Zero Waste in all its manufacturing sites in Europe and America.
|
|
Zero Waste does not merely mean waste reduction and economics. |
|
 |
| Manufacturing sites accomplished Zero Waste in France and U.K |
What is the "waste" generated from the factory? Most of it consists of raw materials (resources) which were not turned into finished products. If 100% of utilized resources were turned into products, there would be no loss of utilized inputted resources, energy and labor. As a result, an ideal manufacturing process could be realized in terms of environmental conservation and economical efficiency. It is an important meaning of "Zero Waste".
There is one more important meaning. "Zero Waste" will never be realized unless everybody participates. For instance, if separation of waste is not thoroughly done and waste is mixed, it can not be sold as resources. "Zero Waste" should change the awareness of all employees and reform the action pattern of each employee; and at the same time it should give a positive impact to the regional activities.
|
|
| In France, awareness of 50 supervisors is first changed. |
|
Environmental Report issued by RIF
|
|
At RIF, just as quality/safety management, "environmental management" is deeply rooted in daily operations. To realize it, first of all, 50 supervisors were gathered and a course was given to teach the importance of zero waste activities; other awareness enlightenment activities were also actively conducted. Waste reduction was relatively smoothly realized up to 98%. In order to bring the remaining 2% to zero, activities, such as thorough separation and reduction of "other wastes" and to have a thorough entrance control to prevent PVC from entering the factory. Also, in June 2001, for the purpose of active information disclosure, an Environmental Report was published.
|
|
|
| In the UK, the concept of "environment" is introduced in the planning stages by individuals and divisions. |
|
|
RPL Recycling Center opened in spring 2001
|
In order to promote zero waste, RPL also made painstaking efforts in awareness enlightenment of employees. The examples include incorporating the concept of "environment" in evaluation of individuals and divisions and appealing to employees how profitable it is to separate waste. As RPL does not have thermal recovery treatment facilities nearby, it promoted zero waste, centering on resource recovery through material recycle. Also, a recycle center was opened within the factory premises for efficient resource recovery. Another example is the dismantling of defective products for the purpose of reuse, to reduce generation of waste itself and upgrade activity quality.
|
|
|
| Active information disclosure for the purpose of global environmental impact reduction. |
|
| In the global viewpoint, the Ricoh Group's activities alone are small in environmental impact reduction effect. We will openly disclose to society the information or know-how obtained from zero waste and other environmental activities; thus we promote environmental communication and contribute to global scale environmental impact reduction. In France, lately, national environmental awareness has been raised and the legislation to regulate landfills is going to be implemented. As the tendency of a cyclic society grows, RIF's leadership will be much expected. RPL is actively responding to regional requirements, such as providing local companies with information on acquisition of the ISO 14001, contributing reports to magazines, participating in symposiums, etc. At present, the Ricoh Group is promoting zero waste also at its production sites in China/Taiwan. We consider it important to exercise leadership in environmental conservation in these areas where industrialization and economic development are expected. |
|
|
|
