our green success story

Our Green Success Story...At Hunt & Coombs Solicitors we have been promoting environmental issues for well over 10 years having first developed our environment policy in 2006. Today environmental issues and the work we do in the community continue to form a key part of our Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

In 2008 we started measuring our monthly usage of gas, electric and water. Then in October 2010 we entered the Peterborough Miles Better Challenge where our staff were encouraged to travel to work sustainably and save emissions. We won our category and were rewarded with the use of an office masseuse for the day!

When PECT launched the Investors in the Environment Standard we signed up straight away; it was time to focus on environmental issues, get staff engaged and shout more about what we were doing. In 2011 we were awarded IIE Silver at our Head office in Peterborough.

We recognised that as a business we have an impact on the environment and we wanted to minimise this impact and improve efficiency. The firm wanted to further improve its environmental performance in relation to services and operations and achieving the accreditation was the first clear recognition of the real improvements that had been made.

We developed a travel plan, action plans, started using more recycled paper and continued to improve our recycling arrangements. We updated our website to reflect our commitment to environmental issues and set out to reduce our use of energy and resources.

Reminders to turn off lights, print double sided and only print when really necessary, compost tea bags and apple cores, recycle sandwich packaging and get involved in the latest competition for growing the best vegetables or the tallest sunflower have all helped get staff involved! Many staff now car share with colleagues or family whilst others walk to work or cycle when they can. We even have bike sheds! Those with children are passing on their enthusiasm with many involving their children with gardening and tending allotments.

One of Hunt & Coombs’ six key values is being socially responsible:

“We support the local community, raise funds for local charities, are family friendly in our support for staff and look for ways to eliminate practices which are harmful to the environment. We have a continued commitment to access to justice with charging structures which are fair and transparent.”

...Promoting environmental issues for over 10 years!

So having achieved the Investors in the Environment Silver award, we got the bug and decided to aim for “Green” accreditation in 2012. We did it and it remains an achievement of which we are hugely proud!

In November 2014 we were thrilled to be awarded the IIE Great Green Star Award. and then in 2019 we were awarded the Overall Achiever Award as well as the Great Green star. This really was the icing on the cake.

The key to our success has been the commitment of our staff. They have been encouraged to take part in any way they can and have come up with new ideas and suggestions which have enabled us to continuously improve the firm’s environmental performance over recent years.

In 2014, we took part in the Travelchoice Workplace Challenge where one staff member won for the whole of Peterborough and also came top of the walking and public transport leader-boards! She scored 2065 points. We calculated that those who took part at Hunt & Coombs together burned 29,000 calories and saved 480kg in carbon emissions.

For over 5 years, we have been collecting and logging weekly data for our use of water, gas and electricity which helps to ensure that any issues are spotted promptly. We also measure our use of paper, recycling of confidential and general waste and our costs and mileage of travelling to training courses. In all areas we have made significant savings. Since 2009 we have reduced our elctricity usage by 54.22%, gas by 31% and water by 24%.

This diagram highlights the amount of money we have saved in key areas since 2009.

We have taken part in Zero Waste Week on several occasions, most recently managing to recycle over 98% of our waste, whilst also continuing our ongoing composting process.

The infographic outlines our figures for 2019.

In 2015 and 2016 we took part in the Woodland Trust / Marks & Spencer Christmas cards for trees collection scheme. So far we have collected 4,681 cards which equates to almost 5 trees!

We have also sponsored the Thorpe Road roundabout for a number of years where wild flowers are sown. Local residents have contacted us a number of times about how much they love the flowers.

Changes to our website have reflected the firm’s commitment to protecting our environment and encouraging others to do the same. Many of our clients share our commitment and have been very supportive of our efforts.

The journey has been a very positive one for the

firm made more fun and rewarding as a result of the support and encouragement from all at the Peterborough Environment City Trust.

In November 2017 we were delighted to win the Environment Category in the Peterborough Telegraph Business Awards and we continue to be awarded the Great Green Star Award in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

More recently we have been involved in fundraising walks, cake sales and collecting crisp packets to be recycled by Walkers and made into garden products.

Well done and thanks to all the staff at Hunt & Coombs who have made it possible to reduce waste and be a more sustainable firm. Including printing our story on 100% recycled paper!

Here are a few pictures of the team.

Hunt & Coombs Solicitors is an established law firm offering a full range of company and personal legal services.

From our offices in Peterborough, Oundle, Huntingdon and St Neots we serve our local communities with a refreshingly modern and personal touch, backed up by professionalism and legal expertise.

With impressive accreditations across numerous professional bodies and a transparent fees structure, our culture and standards make us the ideal place for you to come whenever you need legal advice or support.

For further information on the legal services we provide please visit our website at www.hcsolicitors.co.uk.

Peterborough Office

35 Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6AG

t: 01733 882800e: [email protected]

Huntingdon Office

68a High Street, Huntingdon PE29 3DN


Oundle Office

4 New Street, Oundle PE8 4ED


St Neots Office

12 Eaton Court Road, Colmworth Business Park, St Neots PE19 8ER


Printed on 100% recycled paper Hunt & Coombs LLP is authorised and regulated by the SRA, No. 443035

3/15Jan20

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There is no Planet B!!!

our green success story

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