Inaugural Eco Action Day Circular Economy Challenge Engages Youths

New competition calls on young professionals and youths to share creative circular economy solutions to improve sustainable consumption and production in Singapore

Singapore, 22 March, 2017 – To celebrate World Environment Day this year, Ricoh Asia Pacific (Ricoh) and Eco-Business have launched the inaugural Eco Action Day: Circular Economy Challenge in search for sustainable solutions for Singapore.

The Challenge is part of Ricoh’s Eco Action Day annual nationwide campaign encouraging awareness and action for the environment, which culminates in the celebration of World Environment Day on June 5.

In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ricoh and Eco-Business are engaging youths and young professionals to develop circular economy solutions applicable for Singapore. This initiative is in support of SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production.

The solution may be applied to a specific company or sector and must apply circular economy principles to improve sustainable consumption and production patterns in the city state.

According to the United Nations, the demand for products and services will spike as the world population continues to grow to 8.5 billion by 2030, and 9.7 billion in 2050. If the population reaches 9.7 billion, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.

“The traditional linear model of ‘make-use-dispose’ is no longer viable,” said Mr J.D. Kasamoto, General Manager, Service and Environment pision of Ricoh Asia Pacific. “Ricoh recognises the need to embrace a circular economy, to reduce waste and encourage re-use of resources. With this Challenge, we seek to push the boundaries of conventional thinking about the production of goods and inculcate green values in youths.

“As a firm that advocates sustainability, Ricoh is committed to an eco-friendly future. We will continue to engage youths to take an active stance in tackling environmental issues as they are our future leaders,” said Mr Kasamoto.

Managing editor of Eco-Business, Jessica Cheam, added: “We wanted to raise the impact of the Eco Action Day campaign as it enters its second decade, and this challenge is a perfect way of engaging the youth to think deeply about radical solutions that can improve Singapore’s sustainability.”

“The circular economy is now climbing the agenda for many governments and businesses worldwide. It is timely for Singapore to seriously consider how circular economy principles can help it attain its climate pledge and improve efficiencies and the sustainability of its economy. We look forward to receiving innovative ideas from our youth,” she said.

The Challenge is open to tertiary students and young professionals between the ages of 17 and 30 in teams of four. Ideas with the most potential will be shortlisted to present to a panel of distinguished judges, and winning teams will be awarded with prizes including a trip to Japan, cameras and travel vouchers, as well as a certificate of participation.

Winners will present their ideas to industry leaders at the Eco Action Day Circular Economy Industry Roundtable on June 1, where the prize-giving ceremony will be held.

The tour to Japan will include a field trip to Ricoh’s Eco Business Development Centre, which opened in 2016. The winning team will have a glimpse into the three functions of Ricoh Eco Business Development Centre - a reuse & recycling centre, a centre for verification of eco business technology, and a source to distribute information regarding eco-business activities. Other facilities, such as the Ricoh Future House and Technology Centre, are also available for the winning team to learn about sustainability.

Details:

For more information on Eco Action Day Circular Economy Challenge, participation guidelines, submission criteria, and deadlines please visit http://www.eco-business.com/ecoactionday/. Terms and conditions apply.

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Lee Kai Shun

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About Eco Action Day 

Eco Action Day is a national public awareness campaign organized by Ricoh since 2007, in partnership with key NGO, government and private sector partners in Singapore. It is held on 5 June every year, to commemorate the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Environment Day, which seeks to raise global awareness on the need to take positive action for the environment. Every year, Ricoh, along with various supporting partners, engages its employees, customers, corporate neighbours and government organizations and the wider public to take steps to reduce their impact on the environment. 

To date, more than 900 organisations, including multinational corporations, government agencies, private companies and tertiary institutions have participated in Eco Action Day. 

For further information, please visit www.ecoaction.sg  

About Ricoh 

Ricoh is a global technology company that has been transforming the way people work for more than 80 years. Under its corporate tagline – imagine. change. – Ricoh continues to empower companies and inpiduals with services and technologies that inspire innovation, enhance sustainability and boost business growth. These include document management systems, IT services, production print solutions, visual communications systems, digital cameras, and industrial systems. 

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2016, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,209 billion yen (approx. 19.6 billion USD).

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

About Eco-Business

Established in 2009 in Singapore, Eco-Business is an independent media company serving Asia Pacific’s responsible business and sustainable development community. Our platforms include the award-winning Eco-Business.com site, custom publications, and high-impact bespoke events catered to deepen discussions on sustainability. 

We expanded to Sydney in late 2015 and now operate from both Singapore and Australia.

For further information, please visit www.eco-business.com

About World Environment Day 

World Environment Day (WED) is the biggest, most globally celebrated day for positive environmental action.

The celebration of WED began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations encourages positive action for the environment. Through WED, the UNEP enables everyone to realise not only the responsibility to care for the Earth, but also reminds one and all of their inpidual power to become agents of change. Every action counts, and when multiplied by a global chorus, becomes exponential in its impact.

WED is a big celebration, engaging millions across the globe through events on the ground in over 70 countries. Every year, participants, young and old, organise clean up campaigns, art exhibits, tree-planting drives, concerts, dance recitals, recycling drives, social media campaigns and different contests themed around caring for the planet.