Rochester law firms save trees, dollars by 'going green'

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), Feb 21, 2008 by Elizabeth Stull

The Rochester-based law firm of Harris Beach PLLC is seeking to become a more environmentally friendly, "green" law office.

Last year the firm hired former president of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) William Flynn to head its new energy practice group. It kicked off 2008 with a day- long "Sustainability Symposium."

This month, the firm became the first in Rochester to join the "ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge," a new initiative the American Bar Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency started to encourage law office efficiency.

Firms can participate in three ways. Through the WasteWise program, paper use is reduced and recycling is increased. The Green Power Partnership enables firms to obtain some electricity from renewable sources. Energy Star participants adopt energy management plans to reduce electricity use by at least 10 percent. Harris Beach is participating as a WasteWise partner.

"We're counseling clients all the time on energy sustainability, how they build a business case for it and the avenues that are open to them," said Hilary Guthrie, director of planning and business development.

A typical paper-pushing lawyer uses up to 100,000 sheets of copy paper a year, producing up to 4.5 tons of carbon dioxide, as well as other greenhouse gas emissions, according to an informal survey cited in a recent issue of the American Bar Association Journal. A lawyer who adopts paper management practices recommended by the EPA could reduce emissions by up to two tons per year. The typical lawyer's carbon footprint also includes six tons of carbon dioxide generated through electricity use, and three tons by commuting, an EPA lawyer told the ABA Journal.

Guthrie estimates Harris Beach could save more than 400 trees annually by switching to recycled paper, and another 400 trees by implementing double-sided/duplex printing standards. All of the printer/copiers at the firm's 11 offices default to double-sided/ duplex printing, and all of its offices purchase copy paper that contains 30 percent post-consumer recycled content, Guthrie said.

Harris Beach CEO James A. Spitz Jr. said he believes the "Practice Green" initiative is also a smart business decision that will enhance efficiency.

The firm considers sustainability in each purchasing decision and is reducing its energy usage, as well. Guthrie said Harris Beach has reduced the HVAC settings and electricity on the floors it owns in the Granite Building at 130 Main St., and at its Pittsford offices on Garnsey Road. Managers are meeting with the landlords at offices statewide to ensure best practices for sustainable energy use.

NYSERDA is conducting energy audits of each office, "so we're sure we're using green energy when we can," Guthrie said.

She estimated the Garnsey Road office already has lowered its energy bill by about 5 percent simply by reducing the HVAC and electricity use.

Lawyers also are learning "how to work smarter."

Each received a top 10 list of ways to practice "greener," including recycling everything from folders, binders and Redwells to soda cans. (All paper is shredded, then sent for recycling.)

Computers play a large role in the greening. Lawyers are taught to check spelling and use the print preview feature before printing documents; share drafts electronically and make presentations internally with a data show such as PowerPoint, making handouts available on-screen, instead of on paper. Other simple actions such as turning out lights and computers when leaving a room also are encouraged.

"People are very enthusiastic about this and the cooperation level is great," Guthrie said. "People are always sending additional solutions."

She said the elimination of Styrofoam cups and non-renewable or non-biodegradable items saves the energy necessary to produce and recycle them, as well as the waste they generate.

As of Jan. 31, 20 law firms throughout the country had signed on as partners in the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge, and more Rochester firms may soon follow suit. Harter, Secrest & Emery is working to create a more Earth-friendly environment, according to Managing Partner Maureen Alston. The firm recently formed a 14- member committee to identify ways to increase office efficiency and reduce waste.

"A lot of our employees are really very, very committed to this area," Alston said.

So far, the committee has proposed ways to reduce paper and plastic use, conserve energy, use post-consumer paper products and recycle batteries. Harter Secrest has targeted Earth Day, April 22, as the date on which it will kick off the new policies and practices.