The Environment
Stikeman Elliott's GoingGreen Program, officially launched on March 25, 2008, is part of our continuing effort to reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations. The Program involves the firmwide implementation of market-leading environmental best practices, co-ordinated by a Green Committee with membership from a broad cross-section of firm members. Strategies implemented to date include:
- Minimizing waste through strategic supplier selection and firm mandates
- Comprehensive recycling programs for office supplies, printer and copier toner cartridges, paper, metal, plastic and food waste
- Participation in energy conservation programs co-ordinated by the management of our office buildings worldwide
- Donating unused food to local food banks
- Equipping workstations with TCO-certified energy efficient flat screen computer monitors and power-saving printer/scanners
- Supplying all offices with recycling containers
- Using the "Print-on-demand" system, so documents are created only when and in the quantity they are needed
- Reusing all boxes and packaging materials where possible, including new reusable envelopes used by our mailrooms for shipping
- Recycling all binders, tabs and spines where possible, with unusable tabs re-used as backing in other products
- All toner and print cartridges are returned to manufacturer for recycling
Additional initiatives include efforts to reduce paper use through electronic reporting and filing, electronic file management, electronic pay-stub reporting and the production of electronic closing books; using energy efficient equipment in all areas of the firm and encouraging firm members to use video and/or audio conferencing instead of travel where possible.
These programs are accompanied by efforts to increase awareness of broader environmental issues among all of our firm members. Initiatives for 2008 include:
- distribution of re-useable shopping bags to over 600 employees
- participating in Earth Hour
- taking on the Défi-climat/Nature Challenge, whereby employees are encouraged to take concrete action on a daily basis to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions
- an event featuring environmentalist David Suzuki hosted by our Montréal office
- a carbon footprint calculation for each office (began with Toronto in 2007)
By streamlining operations, sponsoring relevant environmental programs and encouraging individual participation at the firm, Stikeman Elliott continues to remain at the forefront of corporate social responsibility initiatives in the legal industry.
