CF Goes Green

 

 

 

CF Goes Green Highlights: 

  • Local environmental organizations have announced a historical move in combating land and water debris in Tampa Bay. They are joining forces to make Green Teams United, a group of environmental non-profit and governmental organizations dedicated to cleaning up Tampa Bay. Click here to read more.
  • Tampa associate Nicole C. Kibert was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring dedication, commitment, and contributions to The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Click here to read more.
  • 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. 
  • Tampa associate Nicole C. Kibert was interviewed for the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) White Paper, "How Green Is My Law Firm?" The white paper (written by Rachael and Robert Loper, November 2008) explores how the legal world is shifting to a green work environment.  © Posted with permission granted by the Legal Marketing Association, Glenview, IL.

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

  • Purchasing post-consumer recycled paper
  • Purchasing recycled printer toner cartridges
  • Purchasing biodegradable coffee cups instead of styrofoam

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

  • Recycling electronics
  • Recycling paper
  • Recycling aluminum cans and plastics
  • Reusing office supplies
  • Providing employees with reusable drinking cups

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

  • Becoming an EPA Green Power Partnership member at the Leadership Level
  • Purchasing Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificates to match 100% of firm's total energy usage. This is the equivalent to one of the following environmental benefits:
    • Preventing over 5,237,322 pounds (2,375 metric tons) of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere each year
    • Removing 435 cars from the road each year
    • Converting 314 average U.S. households to renewable energy for one year
    • The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed annually by protecting 539 acres of forest
  • Supporting wind and biomass facilities located across the country

Working with our Communities

  • Participating in environmental clean-ups
  • Encouraging green building and sustainable development initiatives

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.

Resources


© Copyright 2009 by Carlton Fields