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The Ricoh Group categorizes and controls chemical substances that are regulated in various countries around the world according to whether they are to be prohibited, reduced, or controlled. As for chemical substances classified as those to be reduced, the Ricoh Group is engaged in reduction based on a concept of risk management. This is a method to reduce chemical substances whose environmental
impact is serious. The environmental impact is determined by calculating the amount of chemical substances used/discharged and the environmental impact potential*1. Additionally, the Group sets a standard to prevent environmental risk from occurring. Based on the standard, each business site thoroughly controls the amount of chemicals used, emitted, discharged, and disposed of in order to prevent percolation or outflow to the environment. In addition, we communicate the risk involved in chemical substances so that the Group can be trusted by the local community.
| *1 |
The environmental impact potential is set by Ricoh, taking toxicity, carcinogenicity, and the possibility of ozone depletion into consideration. |
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Completely eliminate chlorine organic solvents used in manufacturing Organic Photo Conductors at manufacturing contractors as well as at Ricoh manufacturing divisions. |
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Ricoh completely attained its target to eliminate the use of chlorine organic solvents in the consignment production of photo conductors by the end of fiscal 2005. The use of environmentally-sensitive substances was reduced 48.7%*2 from fiscal 2000, while the amount emitted decreased 88.9%*3 from fiscal 2000. Thus, Ricoh succeeded in maintaining the current levels (see graph (2) ). In fiscal 2006, solvent combustion equipment was introduced to the Ricoh Numazu Plant while a risk communication meeting was held at Ricoh Unitechno Co., Ltd.
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The figures have been converted using an environmental impact coefficient. |
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| We will continue our efforts to reduce the use and emissions of chemical substances so that they will not increase even though business operations will be significantly expanded. In fiscal 2007, we plan to continue the efforts we have made so far to reduce them. In addition, efforts will be made to upgrade the levels of risk assessment and management of chemical substances and risk communication.
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| Soil and underground water contamination, if left alone, could damage the health of people in neighboring areas. In light of this, the Ricoh Group has been surveying and purifying major production sites since the 1990s. The purification of contaminated soil entails huge costs and significantly affects the business, which makes it necessary to take action from the two viewpoints of corporate social responsibility and environmental risk management. The Ricoh Group established Basic Policies Concerning Soil and Underground Water Contamination and Standards for the Management of Risks Related to Soil and Underground Water Contamination.
In addition, the Group started surveying the history of all Group business sites, including both the production and non-production sites of subsidiaries of Ricoh's subsidiaries, in fiscal 2004. The survey was completed in fiscal 2006. |
Ricoh Group's Basic Policies Concerning Soil and Underground Water Contamination
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Top priority is given to controlling impact on the living environment in the neighborhood. |
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Efforts will be made to carry out surveys and measures to cope with contamination caused by the Ricoh Group's business activities. |
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Laws, regulations, and ordinances set by the national and local governments shall be observed. |
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Efforts will be made to establish risk communication with local governments and residents. |
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Soil is checked for contamination when land is purchased/transferred or rented/returned. |
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Steps for Soil Examination at Non-Production Sites
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Complete the examination of soil and underground water at Ricoh's non-production sites and leased land (Ricoh and affiliates in and outside of Japan). |
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Make and implement plans to improve sites where pollution is detected. |
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| History surveys of non-production sites showed that soil at five sites might be contaminated, so topsoil from the five sites was tested. The survey revealed no contamination that required action. As all the surveys have been completed, we now understand all the contamination risks at all Ricoh Group sites. Systematic cleanup measures are being taken at production sites where some contamination was detected, including measures to prevent outflow when pumping up underground water. Thus the contamination is under control. Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd., has completed its cleanup work. |
| It has become apparent that contamination risks at non-production sites are smaller than originally expected. In response to this, the occasions currently requiring surveys, including the buying, selling, and leasing of land, will be reviewed and the environmental risk management model will be revised. For our production sites, information on the activities at respective sites will be shared at committee meetings so that contamination risks can be systematically reduced. The Ricoh Group had spent about ¥1.95 billion on surveys and countermeasures by the end of fiscal 2006 and will need to spend about ¥1.02 billion more in the future. |
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Data
Learn more about the data of Pollution Prevention.
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