Canadian waterways and wildlife get a boost as Ricoh Canada signs on to support The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Vancouver, B.C. / Toronto, O.N. – The movement to keep Canada’s shorelines and waterways free from debris will grow in 2015 as Ricoh Canada signs on as a national sponsor of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, an initiative of Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada.
Aquatic debris is one of the biggest threats currently facing our oceans and waterways: it impacts ecosystems, animals and people from coast to coast. Now in its 22nd year, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup enlists more than 54,000 volunteers annually for one of the largest direct-action conservation programs in the country, picking up litter from shorelines before it can get into those waterways.
It’s a natural fit for Ricoh Canada, an international leader in the document management and image communication industry.
“Ricoh is an industry leader when it comes to environmental and sustainability practices,” said Glenn Laverty, President & CEO of Ricoh Canada Inc. “Our commitments span the full range of green manufacturing principals, right through to a product’s end of life where programs such as zero-to-landfill have real benefits to the environment. We’re very pleased to expand those commitments to include support of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, and to put our collective shoulder into helping keep Canada’s waters healthy for everyone.”
As well as a three-year funding partnership, Ricoh employees will participate in quarterly shoreline cleanups, removing litter from vulnerable shoreline environments in their own communities.
“Our new national partner Ricoh Canada will help bring the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup to even more communities across Canada,” said Susan Debreceni, program manager, Vancouver Aquarium and WWF-Canada’s Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. “Support like this allows us to clean up shorelines in every province, along every kind of waterway, from streams and rivers to lakes, estuaries and oceans, all across Canada.”
To celebrate the partnership, Ricoh Canada joined the Vancouver Aquarium, WWF-Canada, fellow partner YVR, the City of Vancouver and the Burnaby Board of Trade along with a kindergarten class from False Creek School in an inaugural shoreline cleanup along the waterways of Stanley Park on Jan. 16.
In 2015, the coast-to-coast cleanup begins on March 1. Visit ShorelineCleanup.ca to find out how you can join a cleanup, or register as a site coordinator and organize your own.
About the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada, the Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote understanding of shoreline litter issues by engaging Canadians to rehabilitate shoreline areas through cleanups. ShorelineCleanup.ca
About Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a non‐profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org
About WWF-Canada
WWF-Canada is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. wwf.ca
About Ricoh Company Ltd.
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 2014, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,195 billion yen based on the IFRS accounting standard (approx. 21.3 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/
For more information contact:
Deana Lancaster | Vancouver Aquarium | 604 659 3752 | [email protected]
Jo Anne Walton | WWF-Canada | 604 787-3103 | [email protected]
Dan Newman | Ricoh Canada Inc. | 905 795 5788 | [email protected]