'Zero Waste' Philosophy Saves RICOH Electronics, Inc. $2.5 Million, Earns Global Firm California's Top Waste Reduction Honor, Dec. 17, 2004, Press Release

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California Integrated Waste Management Board

'Zero Waste' Philosophy Saves RICOH Electronics, Inc. $2.5 Million, Earns Global Firm California's Top Waste Reduction Honor

TUSTIN—RICOH Electronics, Inc. received the State of California's top waste reduction environmental award today for outstanding achievement in on-site recycling, materials reuse and diversion, and waste prevention. One of only 10 businesses statewide to earn this distinction, RICOH's California facility was presented with the 2004 Waste Reduction Awards Program 'WRAP of the Year' honor by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

"Zero waste is a way of life at RICOH Electronics," said Board Member Linda Moulton-Patterson at the award ceremony. "This global firm defines leadership and excellence in every aspect of its business and has achieved an exceptional level of waste reduction in its daily operations."

In 2003, RICOH's California facility diverted over 3,622 tons of waste through the recycling efforts of each employee. Over the past year, the company saved more than $2.5 million as a result of its employee-driven Environmental Sustainability Improvement Activities.

One of 395 domestic and overseas companies that comprise Ricoh Company, Ltd., the business is a $14.7 billion global corporation and a leading supplier of office automation equipment. RICOH produces highly-advanced digital copiers, peripherals, printed circuit boards, Secure Fax® machines, eCabinets®, thermal media, toner, parts, remanufactured toner cartridges, and customer-configured products at their facilities in Orange County, California, as well as in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Toluca, Mexico.

"At RICOH, every employee is a process owner," said Eiko Risch, Manager of the Sustainability Promotion Division. "Employees are encouraged to improve their work processes to reduce paper and water use, as well as to conserve electricity and reduce other types of waste. Employees who submit their improvement results receive a polo shirt embroidered with the company's sustainability logo and wear their shirts proudly because they have contributed toward saving money, reducing waste, and saving our natural resources."

Founded in Orange County in 1973, the company has 1,216 employees who are dedicated to RICOH's philosophy of pursuing environmental conservation. The business incorporates environmental issues into its mission and daily operations as part of a commitment to its remarkably successful "Zero Waste to Landfill" system. RICOH reports its Tustin facility achieved zero waste onsite in 2001 and has since developed and pursued additional environmental goals.

RICOH Electronics, Inc. in Tustin has earned the State's WRAP award seven times since 1995 and was selected as a distinguished 2004 WRAP of the Year honoree for its model programs to manage materials and reduce waste.

Now in its 12th year, the Waste Reduction Awards Program is open to private industry and nonprofit organizations throughout California and provides recognition for exemplary and model business practices to reduce waste, recycle, reuse materials, and send less to landfills. In particular, the WRAP of the Year designation honors companies of all sizes for successful waste reduction practices in the workplace.

The award is a special distinction made from among hundreds of outstanding businesses that earn WRAP awards from the State's Integrated Waste Management Board each year. For 2004, WRAP honors went to 1,403 California companies, from which this year's top 10 WRAP of the Year honorees have been chosen. More than 12,200 WRAP honors have been awarded since the program's inception in 1993, with many companies winning the award for multiple years.

Other winners of the 2004 WRAP of the Year (WOTY) awards include:

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the State's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes a zero waste California in partnership with local government, industry, and the public. This means reducing waste whenever possible, promoting the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and protecting public health and safety and the environment.