Ricoh honors high school students' outstanding achievements in sustainable innovation

MALVERN, Pa., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Americas Corporation has presented three high school students with the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award for remarkable innovations that reflect both economic potential and environmental responsibility.

Ricoh presented the award on May 16 at the world's largest international pre-college science competition, the 2013 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Phoenix, AZ, which showcased over 1,500 of the world's leading high school students and their independent scientific research projects. The winning projects – innovations in energy production and clean drinking water – earned winners a total of $25,000 in scholarships from Ricoh.

The three recipients of this year's Ricoh Sustainable Development Award are Jed Donald Grow and Andrew Quinn Ross of Clearfield High School, Clearfield, Utah, and Michael Fernandez Vermeland of the Loudoun County Academy of Science, Sterling, Virginia. Their projects were selected from over 1,300 total projects, representing more than 70 countries, regions and territories, and 454 affiliated fairs brought 433 finalists to this year's event.

Jed and Andrew discovered new ways to extract electricity and hydrogen from wastewater, a potential clean energy boon that also helps purify the wastewater. Michael documented new, surprisingly affordable ways to turn fog into potable water – potentially life-saving for arid climates.

"These students and all of the entrants are brilliant and inspiring, and we share their deep commitment to the environment, education and innovation," said Jay Dizzine, Vice President, Technology Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "Sustainable technology and successful business can co-exist, and these students' achievements prove it."

Ricoh lives this principle every day by helping clients reduce consumption of resources such as paper by digitizing information flows, and energy by creating efficient office equipment. The company also continuously improves the sustainability of its own operations with measures such as:

• Sophisticated networks for resource recovery and recycling.
• Ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals.
• ISO 14001-certified manufacturing facilities around the world.
• Zero-waste-to-landfill manufacturing plants.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, a program of Society for Science & the Public, brings students together from approximately 70 countries, regions and territories. Each year, the finalists showcase their independent research as they compete for more than $4 million in awards. The fair encourages millions of students worldwide to explore their passion for innovation and develop solutions for global challenges.

Since 2005, Ricoh has recognized 20 students and presented scholarships worth more than $300,000 with the help of a distinguished team of judges from academia and business. "We value Ricoh's partnership not least because the Sustainable Development Award really goes to the heart of what may be the ultimate challenge for this planet," said Elizabeth Marincola, President of Society for Science & the Public. "The recipients, along with more than 1,600 other finalists with great minds attending our fair, will almost certainly be leading the effort."

For details about Ricoh's care for the environment, please visit http://www.ricoh-usa.com/about/environment/environment.aspx?alnv=env.

| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2013, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 1,924 billion yen (approx. 20 billion USD).

The majority of the company's revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.

Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change., Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com/about/

© 2013 Ricoh Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Contact:

John Greco
Ricoh Americas Corporation
(973) 882-2023
[email protected]

Jill Searl
Brodeur Partners
(603) 559-5824
[email protected]

SOURCE Ricoh Americas Corporation