Going Green
_(3998).jpg)
On Earth Day 2008, Bingham launched a firmwide Green Initiative, uniting the firm’s environmental efforts across all our offices. Bingham’s Green Task Force works closely with administrators, staff, lawyers from our environmental practice and local green teams in each U.S. office, with the aim of significantly reducing firmwide consumption of plastic, energy and paper.
Educating Lawyers and Staff
A primary goal is to educate lawyers and staff on the small changes they can make to reduce our environmental footprint. For instance, to conserve paper, toner and ink, employees are urged to adopt eco-friendly habits such as viewing documents on-screen and printing them in a double-sided format. Similarly, our in-house designers have created sophisticated e-mail templates for external and internal communications, including invitations, newsletters and client alerts, all with the goal of lessening our paper consumption. If materials must be printed, we request that our vendors use recycled paper and soy-based inks.
In an effort to reduce energy consumption, we have conducted an audit of the firm’s relocation companies. Those with eco-friendly practices (e.g., multi-load policies, environmentally friendly packing materials, etc.) are now preferred vendors. We are also mindful of our travel practices. We are looking into the possibility of purchasing carbon offsets and, wherever possible, we rely on state-of-the-art technological capabilities to reduce travel. These include videoconferencing; laptops that allow lawyers to remotely access Bingham’s full network; and secure browser-based extranets, which allow for document-sharing and threaded discussions with clients.
Green Construction Practices
We are committed to green construction practices that improve energy efficiency. Bingham’s new Boston headquarters features glass office walls, efficient fluorescent lighting, eco-friendly furniture and energy-reducing motion sensors. Other efforts throughout our offices include installing glass office walls to allow for penetration of more natural light; selecting office lights and appliances that meet Energy Star standards; and using office furniture made from woods harvested in sustainable forests and finished with a water-borne compound that produces low emissions.
Expanded Recycling Programs
To reduce the use of plastic water bottles in all offices, we are increasingly relying on filtered water served in reusable bottles, pitchers and glasses. By collaborating with local property managers, we are educating our employees about proper recycling practices, including paper, bottle/can and battery recycling. Technology-related efforts include stocking printers with recycled toner and cartridges. We are also reusing office supplies whenever possible and either recycling obsolete technology and computer equipment or donating it to local schools.