Business News
RICOH Turns Off Billboards All Over the World
Tuesday 02. June 2009 - Except for 100% Eco-Powered Billboards
As part of RICOH Global Eco Action, RICOH (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo), will turn off the lights on billboards, RICOH logo, signboards and facilities at all Group companies around the world on the night of June 5, which is United Nations World Environment Day. In addition, all Group companies in Japan will turn off their lights on June 21 and July 7, in line with the CO2 Reduction/Lights Off Campaign organized by the Japan Ministry of the Environment. The 100% eco-powered billboards in Osaka(*1) and New York(*2) are excluded.
RICOH Global Eco Action began in 2006 as an environmental event for enhancing awareness among Group company employees and promoting environmentally friendly thinking and actions. Employees are encouraged to leave the office early, focus on energy conservation at work and at home, host and participate in environmental events, and take other actions that reflect each individuals concerns for the environment. Such events are announced via posters, PC tools and in-house broadcasting, and through dedicated databases on the environmental portal site and Group intranet.
The theme for the fourth year of RICOH Global Eco Action is “Think & Act! Think and act on your own. Come up with your own unique Eco Actions!” Unlike previous years, when actions were implemented mainly by business sites and departments, this year the emphasis is on the self-initiated Eco Actions of individuals. In addition, the week of May 31 to June 6 has been named RICOH Global Eco Action Week, with the aim of implementing even more ongoing Eco Actions.
In fiscal 2008, around 43,000 Ricoh Group employees from 65 companies in 31 countries took part, carrying out diverse activities such as turning off major billboards, signboards and facilities, participating in environmental events organized by individual company departments, and encouraging client companies to take part in Eco Actions. These activities led to an estimated reduction of around 14 tons of CO2.
RICOH wishes to continue with the RICOH Global Eco Action on a yearly basis in a bid to expand its global network of environmental conservation from Group employees to their families, friends, business partners and clients.
(*1) 100% eco-powered billboard in Osaka
Location: Nishi-Tenman, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan
Power generation method: electricity generated by private hybrid wind and solar power generators is stored and used for lighting.
Installed: April 2003
(*2) 100% eco-powered billboard in New York
Location: Times Square, New York City, NY, USA
Power generation method: electricity generated by private hybrid solar power generators is stored and used for lighting.
(In addition, preparation is underway to store power and produce lighting through wind power generation)
Installed: April 2009, starting with preliminary lighting powered by solar power generation only