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Green Checklist for Law Offices

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• Return to Greening Your Law Firm: A Practical Guide to Creating an Environment-Friendly Law Office

Paper Reduction and Management

	Documents are printed and copied on both sides of the paper whenever possible, and the default settings of printers and photocopiers are set on “double-sided.”
	Documents are reviewed online, and pages are only printed when necessary.
	The margins on documents are narrowed to conserve paper (except where prohibited by the courts or organizations).
	Paper documents are circulated throughout the firm by routing rather than by making multiple copies.
	Scanning documents and processing them electronically is encouraged.
	Paperless practices are used to the extent possible (e.g., extranets, firm intranet, desk-top faxing, electronic pay stubs, etc.).
	E-holiday and other greetings are sent instead of paper cards.
	E-mail messages end with a green-coloured trailer stating something like: “Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail message.”

 

Reducing Energy and Electricity Use

	Compact fluorescent lighting has replaced traditional incandescent bulbs, and energy-efficient T8 fluorescent tubes have replaced older T12 tubes.
	Office lights and computers are turned off when not in use.
	During summer months (especially during “power advisories”), all lights are turned off as much as possible.
	Where available, the firm buys “clean” power from a green energy supplier.

 

Reusing and Recycling

Ceramic coffee mugs and water glasses are used instead of disposable Styrofoam drinking cups.

Office paper is recycled. Recycling boxes are at each desk and workstation.

Old computers and electronics are donated or recycled through charitable, government or other programs.

Used books, furniture and other items are sold or donated.

 

Buying Green Products

	Office paper products are earth-friendly (e.g., copy/printer paper and file folders have at least 30% postconsumer recycled content or are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or Chlorine Free Products Association).
	When replacing old photocopiers, printers and other office equipment, the firm favours Energy Star models and EPEAT-registered computers with an 80 PLUS power supply.
	Organic or “fair trade” coffee is stocked in the coffee room.
	Preference for other office supplies is given to Eco-Logo certified products.
	The firm deals with suppliers who also demonstrate sustainable practices.

 

Environmentally-Friendly Travel

	Webconferencing and other strategies are encouraged to reduce the need for business travel.
	Discounted or free public transit passes are offered to lawyers and staff.
	A bike rack, lockers and showers are available for employees who bike to work.
	Working from home is approved where appropriate.

 

Building Improvements

	Traditional lights have been replaced with motion-detecting sensor lighting where possible.
	The building owner/manager has been encouraged to obtain BOMA “Go Green” certification.
	Priority is given to a LEED-certified building when looking to move into new office space.
	When renovating, green upgrades are sourced, e.g., “carbon neutral” carpet.

 

Other

	The firm purchases carbon offsets and/or supports non-profit environmental sustainability organizations.
	Tap water is used instead of bottled water.
	The firm participates in environmental awareness programs, e.g., the annual Commuter Challenge.
	Real estate clients are encouraged to employ green building techniques.
	Transportation incentives are offered to employees to buy hybrid vehicles.
	The firm has conducted a GHG inventory or carbon audit of its office operations to get a clear picture of its emissions and where efforts can be focused for improvement.