There has been a big push for sustainability in companies so what are the ways that you can become more sustainable as a Law Firm?
Become Digital
With a high use of paper in offices for contracts, filing and more, there is a big push for translating all physical information on paper to digital information stored on servers and hard-drives as there is a lesser chance of information being lost due to accidents such as spilled water or “I can’t remember where I filed that”. Investing in an online, cloud-based documentation platform should help keep documents safe, organized and reduce the need for paper.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
Changing from current paper types and office supplies to environmentally preferable products that either do not use as much virgin pulp from trees, or uses recycled paper and is environmentally friendly gives your company a ‘green’ thumbs up. This is imperative in today’s time, as many consumers are becoming concerned and aware of the environmental impact companies and offices have with single use plastics and single use paper.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost.
The average office worker generates almost one kilogram worth of paper and paperboard products every day, which contributes to the 10,000 sheets of copy paper discarded annually. To be sustainable, law firms need to address this and have waste material reused rather than thrown into landfills. Recycling more than just paper is important too e.g. light bulbs, batteries, ink and toner cartridges, and electronics (which all have second-life uses).
City of Cape Town Waste Drop-Off Points
Household or garden waste can be dropped off in between waste collection days at any of the City’s 20 drop-off facilities. Up to 1 500kg (1,5 tonnes) of non-hazardous waste may be disposed of at these sites – at no cost. Green garden waste is then chipped and composted, while builder’s rubble is crushed for re-use. Some drop-off sites also provide facilities for recycling of residential special waste such as tins, glass, paper, plastics, oil and electronic waste (such as old computers and cell phones). Waste that is not recyclable or reusable is then transported to the landfill for disposal.
