Ricoh USA announced the latest in a series of sustainability milestones, including a new solar array that will power its West Caldwell, New Jersey, office facility. This is the latest example of Ricoh’s environmental consciousness and measurable progress in sustainability efforts.
The solar array project began in March 2014, through collaborative work with EnterSolar, a New York City-based provider of solar solutions to commercial enterprises. Now live, the array is expected to generate more than 790,000 kWh per year, providing more than 50% of the facility’s electrical needs. That translates to approximately 1.3 million miles driven by an average passenger vehicle, 555 fewer metric tons of CO2 produced per year and $1.9 million in energy savings over the next 10 years. The array itself is roughly 1.3 times the size of a football field.
“Concern for the environment is in Ricoh’s DNA. It’s core to our corporate identity,” said Donna Venable, executive vice president, human resources and deputy general manager, shared services, Ricoh Americas. “Since Ricoh established its Environmental Promotion Group more than 40 years ago, we have worked hard to foster sustainability from the top down and the bottom up. It’s what drove us to undertake this solar array project, it’s what drives our emissions reductions as a global company, and it’s what drives our individual employees to do their part in fostering sustainability through corporate and external programs.”
In fact, the West Caldwell facility itself has a strong sustainability history. The building has achieved ENERGY STAR® certification for three years in a row, and its on-site Biodiversity-Pollinator Garden achieved Conservation Certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council.
News item from Ricoh USA