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Sustainability Initiatives Currently in Place

Recycling and Waste Reduction

• Whenever possible, firm members will have a desk-side recycling box for paper, as well as a waste bin for all waste materials. Recycling facilities for cans, glass and plastic bottles are provided throughout each office.
• Kitchenettes have clearly labelled waste and recycling bins to separate waste from recyclables including cans, glass and plastic containers, and paper. 
• Additional recycling bins are located throughout the office in high-volume recycling areas for additional recycling opportunities, (e.g. in the photocopier rooms, boardroom, meeting rooms, and common areas).
• Battery recycling collection container is located in each office. For convenience, lawyers and staff may recycle their spent batteries by sending them by inter-office mail to the in-house photocopying and binding service provider.
• Water is served to clients in pitchers instead of disposable bottles.
• Individual packages of milk and other foodstuffs are used only when necessary.
• Use sustainable, third party approved, dish soap and other cleaning products whenever possible; encourage landlord or building service contractor to do the same.

Paper

• The default printing setting on network computers is double-sided where available. Staff and lawyers are encouraged to print double-sided and multiple pages per sheet where this is supported by the printers.  Going forward, printers that support duplex printing will be purchased whenever practical.
• Lawyers and staff are encouraged to place banner pages from printers or photocopiers in receptacles located at each printer.
• Lawyers and staff are encouraged to save emails electronically instead of printing and filing them.
• All faxes are routed electronically in Montreal and Toronto. This will be implemented in all offices when possible.
• Purchase EcoLogo approved office paper whenever practical [e.g. Domtar Earth Choice].
• Use only FSC approved paper stock for all of the firm's printed marketing material.

Purchasing

• For all purchases (services and products), consideration will be given and weight afforded to sustainable alternatives.
• When purchasing services from a new provider, the sustainability policies of the service providers should be considered as part of the decision-making process.
• When purchasing office furniture and equipment, used and refurbished furniture and equipment should be considered.

Education

• Sustainability "tips" will be posted on the firm's intranet and updated regularly.
• Educational seminars will be hosted in each office (at least 1 per year).

Electricity Consumption

• Encourage turning off office lights and use of motion sensors.