How circular economy printing is reshaping office sustainability

The circular economy represents a shift away from the traditional take-make-waste model. Instead of extracting resources, using them and discarding the waste, this approach emphasizes redesigning products for longevity and reclaiming waste as a valuable input, to reduce material consumption.

Ricoh innovated these circular economy principles and championed them since 1994 through its Comet Circle™ philosophy — a framework for sustainable manufacturing and lifecycle management. Although Comet Circle focuses primarily on manufacturing processes, its approach extends to business workflows, sustainable printing and office equipment.

Our product manufacturing and supply strategy focuses on the following elements for responsible consumption and production:

• Designing smarter products that are lighter and have a smaller footprint with interchangeable parts

• Sourcing recycled materials from alternative resources and other waste

• Advising customers on resource efficient printing and processes

• Managing end of life services with easy collection services and ensuring quality remanufacturing

A standout example is our RICOH GreenLine™ Series: certified, remanufactured printers that extend device lifespans and significantly reduce e-waste.

By reusing components and minimizing raw material extraction, GreenLine devices help organizations add value and longevity by meeting sustainability goals without compromising quality and performance — and even come with standard warranties. Only the very smallest fraction of a percent of materials from GreenLine ever end up in landfills, which is why industry analysts have named Ricoh as a leader in sustainability. Ricoh also became the first imaging equipment manufacturer to earn ENERGY STAR® certification for select remanufactured models, setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious innovation.

While circular principles have long been applied to manufacturing, leading organizations are now extending this mindset to their print infrastructure. Circular economy printing reimagines the entire lifecycle of devices, supplies and workflows to reduce environmental impact and maximize resource recovery.

Key strategies include:

• Remanufactured and refurbished equipment to extend device life and reduce demand for virgin materials

• Print features and capabilities that include proactive maintenance, firmware updates and modular upgrades to help extend device lifecycles; automatic duplex printing to minimize waste; and secured print release can reduce unnecessary printing

• Closed-loop toner and cartridge recycling programs to reintegrate consumables into the supply chain

• Eco-conscious print management software to reduce unnecessary printing and optimize energy use

• Sustainable packaging and logistics to cut emissions and waste throughout delivery and return processes

By embedding circularity into print operations, companies not only reduce e-waste but also unlock cost efficiencies and demonstrate leadership in sustainable innovation.