CF Goes Green Highlight: Carlton Fields was recently selected as a Finalist for the 2008 Sustainable Florida Award for the firm's CF Goes Green initiative. The Sustainable Florida Award is presented by The Council for Sustainable Florida, the premier statewide organization committed to balancing the economic interests of the state with the need to be socially and environmentally responsible.
In 2007, Carlton Fields introduced CF Goes Green, an initiative to reduce the impact of the firm’s business operations on the environment through engaging in sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices.
The initial goal of the CF Goes Green initiative is to proactively reduce waste generated by our business and work practices and to implement our green procurement policy. Future goals include full integration of sustainable business practices in the firm’s long-term business planning.
Why Go Green? Because it’s good for our communities
The CF Goes Green initiative is an affirmation of Carlton Fields’ ongoing commitment to service for our communities. True stewardship for our communities involves taking responsibility for the impact of our business operations on the environment. Through the CF Goes Green initiative, we are helping to reduce our environmental impact and fulfill our obligation to current and future generations.
Because it’s good for business
Implementing environmentally friendly business practices is not only good for our environment, it’s also good for business. There are significant costs savings to be recognized from reducing energy consumption, going paperless, recycling electronics and purchasing green office supplies.
Environmentally Responsible Business Practices at Carlton Fields
Carlton Fields has implemented a number of forward-thinking, environmentally responsible business practices, including:
Responsible Procurement
Energy Efficiency
Purchasing Energy Star compliant electronics
Utilizing computer equipment and printers which hibernate for energy savings and shutting down computers and other office appliances every night
Installing motion detection lights as appropriate in our build-out schedules
Turning lights off in unused spaces
Server consolidation
LCD monitors replacing CRTs
Using energy efficient light bulbs
Waste Reduction
Sustainable Business Practices
Reducing the use of paper by effectively utilizing:
The firm’s Extranet, Intranet, and e-mail system for document exchange
Electronic delivery of faxes
Integrated scanning, copying, and faxing
Adding additional video conferencing capabilities which reduce travel resulting in cost savings to our clients and reducing environmental impacts of travel
Notifying key vendors that the firm has implemented a green procurement policy which will become a significant factor in the selection of vendors
Supporting Renewable Energy
Preventing over 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year
Equivalent to removing 260 cars from the road each year or the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by over a thousand acres of trees annually
Supporting wind and biomass facilities located across the country
Working with our Communities
Looking to the Future
Over the coming year, Carlton Fields will continue to Go Green by:
Implementing our "Green Procurement Policy"
Continuing to educate our employees about the personal and professional benefits of going green
Further incorporating environmentally friendly operations and practices
Ensuring consistent green business practices across Carlton Fields’ seven offices
Measuring our Progress
Carlton Fields is a member of the EPA’s WasteWise Program in order to receive technical assistance for implementing the CF Goes Green initiative. This will provide measurable data to track progress of the program and to maximize the firm’s waste prevention activities. In addition, Carlton Fields has surveyed members of the firm regarding their attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge about environmental issues. Surveys will be repeated at various time intervals to measure the personal impact on members of our firm.
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