Students get eco smart with their art
The competition, which has been running since 2003, provides funds to schools that have demonstrated an interest in environmental management programs. Dee Why Public School won the group mural, while Manly Vale Public’s Year 6 student Luke Mangraviti (pictured below with Nigel Shepherd, managing director Ricoh Australia) was awarded the individual prize for his entry ‘Superheroes can’t stop global warming – but we can’.
The 13-year-old boy has something of a green thumb it seems, having won the best individual prize for the past three years. Mangraviti says he’s always enjoyed drawing superheroes, but has a particular interest in the environment because there is a forest near his home. “I think it’s very important that people look after the environment,” he says.
Developing an environmental conscience is pivotal to Ricoh’s strategy, according to managing director Nigel Shepherd. “We’re excited to see how the schools and the children have embraced the Ricoh slogan,” he said. “It’s an environmental theme that runs through everything we do here at Ricoh.”
Ricoh has launched a number of environmental initiatives since 2000, including recycling ink cartridges, paper conservation, an end-of-life machine take-back program and reducing green house gas. Shepherd hopes that the Environmental Art Competition will motivate youth to take an interest in the environment.
Developing an environmental conscience is pivotal to Ricoh’s strategy, according to managing director Nigel Shepherd. “We’re excited to see how the schools and the children have embraced the Ricoh slogan,” he said. “It’s an environmental theme that runs through everything we do here at Ricoh.”