Smith Freed & Eberhard Sustainability Commitment
MISSION STATEMENT
Smith Freed & Eberhard will be a leader among law firms and within our community in establishing environmentally sustainable business practices. It will:
- Promote environmental sustainability throughout the firm;
- Participate in the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge;
- Cooperate with clients, vendors and the community in achieving sustainability goals;
- Encourage individual leadership and initiatives among our employees to reduce waste and promote conservation of energy and resources not only at work but also at home.
COMMITMENT
"Smith Freed & Eberhard is committed to being a
sustainable law firm. I believe we can both meet the business needs of
our clients by providing quality legal advice and at the same time have a
positive impact on the environment for which we all depend."
- Jeff Eberhard, Managing Partner
PAPER REDUCTION MANAGEMENT
- Reviewing documents online instead of printing them, printing only the pages we need.
- Storing files electronically and on data CDs whenever possible.
- Implementation of a Document Management System to manage file-related documents, emails, in addition to scanning and processing documents electronically whenever possible.
- Elimination of waste producing paper plates and cups from our break rooms and conference rooms.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RECYCLING - Recycling bins located at every workstation, copy room, conference room and break room.
- Implementation of composting - food, coffee grounds and food soiled paper in all break rooms.
- Collection and recycling of batteries, toner and printer cartridges, cell phones, computer and electronic equipment, CDs, DVDs and VHS
- All break rooms and conference rooms are equipped with ceramic mugs, silverware and durable dishes rather than disposable items.
EDUCATION & EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
- Formation of a "Green Team" made up of attorneys and staff from around the firm.
- Joined the Natural Step Network. Provide each new hire with a Best Practices list and monthly eco-tips send via email.
- Participation in the Bike Commute Challenge.
- Quarterly presentations from local leaders, groups and organizations on sustainability practices.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
ENERGY REDUCTION MANAGEMENT
- Installation of occupancy sensors in offices, copy rooms, restrooms, break rooms and conference rooms.
- Employees are required to turn off all computers, monitors and other office electronic devices each night and when not in use.
- All monitors, computers, copiers and other electronic devices are required to be set to hibernate when inactive when possible.
- Implementation of an Energy Star policy for all computer, electronics, and appliance purchases whenever possible.
BUSINESS TRAVEL & EMPLOYEE COMMUTE - Conduct annual employee commuter survey.
- Participate in the Portland Bike Commute Challenge in September.
- Encourage all employees to carpool to firm events.
- Access to ZipCar corporate account.
- 50% mass transit subsidy.
PURCHASING - Purchase 100% recycled copy/printer paper and 30% post-consumer recycled content for other supply purchases whenever possible.
- Purchase Energy Star labeled electronics for upgrades and future purchases whenever possible.
- Purchased Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) equivalent to 465,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and representative of an offset of approximately 317 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions-primarily carbon dioxide. This is the environmental offset equivalent of the CO2 emissions from approximately 63.9 passenger vehicles per year and/or 37,564 gallons of gasoline consumed.