Going Green in the Legal Environment:Sustainability Committee

Colin PierceyMay 25, 2009

Who We Are

Stewart McKelvey

Halifax office

Location in Halifax – office tower, 4.5 floors occupied

95 lawyers / 181 employees in Halifax office

231 lawyers / 334 employees in firm

Who We Are

Sustainability Committee formed late in 2007

Managing partner’s idea in response to concerns

Comprised of interested lawyers and staff

Announced in May 2008

Who We Are

Statement of purpose:

… committed to heightening environmental awareness through education and the promotion of sustainable activities and practices.

Working with firm management, personnel, clients and suppliers, the Sustainability Committee will incorporate practices consistent with Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

- from Our Common Future (1987)

Environmental & Energy Review

Performed by the Eco-Efficiency Centre at Dalhousie

Recommendations made to decrease environmental impact and increase energy efficiency

2008 Commuter Challenge

Signed up to participate in National Commuter Challenge

Internal competition amongst floors to encourage participation

Saved a total of 10,891 kilometres of travel

Supplies Party

Cleaned out desk drawers & filing cabinets of old supplies

Lunch time party to sort old supplies

Supplies redistributed to supplies’ station

2009 Commuter Challenge

2009 Commuter Challenge in all offices

Commuter Challenge website http://www.commuterchallenge.ca/

Firm purchased trophy for winner

Changes Implemented Internally

Using 100% recycled paper in printers and photocopiers

Providing all users with a print queue for duplex printing

Changes Implemented Internally

Internal communications sent by e-mail and documents posted to the internal portal

Video and Teleconferencing used for inter-office meetings

Changes Implemented Internally

Students’ Committee offers summer students and articled clerks option to have a paid monthly bus pass

Length of time before photocopiers go into sleep mode reduced to 2 minutes; copiers are programmed to automatically turn off at 9:00 p.m.

Changes Implemented Internally

Purchase ENERGY STAR certified appliances only

Set up box in Document Centre for dropping off used batteries

Changes Implemented Internally

Lights in EXIT signs on floors have been replaced with LED bulbs

Composting receptacles for food waste in each convenience station / servery (initiative of landlord)

Lights turned off in vending machines to save electricity

Changes that Have Made a Difference

Reduced paper consumption - saved trees.

Average week 30 cases of original photocopier/printer paper used prior to change to recycled paper.

Changes that Have Made a Difference

Bus passes and alternate modes of transportation (awareness raised during Commuter Challenge) - impact on air quality in the community.

Future Plans

Obtain energy statistics from landlord

Education initiative to remind everyone to turn off lights

Future Plans

Water filters plumbed into taps

Plan to expand program to all offices

Suggestions

Have everyone’s interests – lawyers, staff, partners, management – represented in committee meetings

Get everyone involved and make it fun

Take control of areas in which you have control

Be constantly thinking of ways to implement changes

Small changes can make a difference

Thank you

Questions?