Promoting Eco Packaging  (Ricoh Group/Japan)
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Resource-recirculating eco packaging |
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Ricoh has long been working to reduce the use of packaging materials. In 1994, we started "eco packaging" with less use of cardboard. In 2001, we introduced further advanced "resource-recirculating eco packaging" materials in the market. These resin-based packaging materials can be used repeatedly. As of fiscal 2007, about 70% of our copiers shipped from Japanese factories were packaged with these resource-recirculating eco materials. In addition, we are engaged in activities in which we deliver the product simply wrapped in damage-protection film only to the customers straight from the factory. Through these efforts, we are saving the consumption of packaging materials by some 8,400 tons, equivalent to about 11,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
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Used PET Bottles as Resource-recirculating Eco Packaging
(Ricoh/Japan)
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134 empty PET bottles are used as cushioning material at the bottom and on the sides of the packaging |
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The Ricoh Group adopts resource-recirculating eco packaging for its large copiers by reusing empty PET bottles as cushioning material in delivering the imagio MP1350. For a copier that weighs 300 kg, 134 empty 500-ml PET bottles are used as cushioning material at the bottom and on the sides of the packaging.
Because cushioning material made of PET bottles, which has a higher shock absorbing ability than conventional materials, can be used at least 20 times, its reuse will lead to a reduction in packaging materials. CO2 emissions will be reduced by around 10 tons over four years compared with the use of traditional cushioning materials.
This packaging received the Large-sized Equipment Packaging Category Award in the Japan Packaging Contest 2006 held under the sponsorship of the Japan Packaging Institute on October 6, 2006. The packaging was evaluated as "...responding to the needs of the age and society - an excellent packaging in terms of life culture."
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