Luper Neidenthal & Logan
1200 LeVeque Tower
50 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3374
(800) 345-4079

Double Sided Printing Policy Implemented at LNL

By Amanda Bucha

 As you know, LNL was the first law firm in Ohio to become a “Climate Challenge Partner” in the ABA-EPA law office challenge. In order to maintain this prestigious status and to continue our best efforts towards waste reduction and sustainability, we must begin to make some simple changes in the way we do our work. Not only will the new double sided copying policy cut paper usage nearly in half, and cut down the amount of waste we produce, but it will also save the firm money on paper and mailing expenses by using fewer resources.

To remain a Climate Challenge Partner, the ABA-EPA challenge requires that we comply with some strict guidelines and promise to adopt best practices for office paper management. The ABA-EPA Law Office Challenge website points out the following: Law offices tend to be paper-intensive, and the production and disposal of paper consumes substantial amounts of energy and generates significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions. One large Washington, DC. law firm buys about 100,000 sheets of copying and printing paper per attorney per year, which is almost one page per minute of attorney billable time, and which amounts to a half-ton of paper per year. The life-cycle of a ton of paper, from production to disposal in a landfill, results in the generation of about 11 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) - equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. Law offices can undertake simple and effective "best practices" to improve office paper management, including:

• Assure that at least approximately 90 percent of all types of copier, printer, letterhead, and bond paper, as well as business and manila envelopes purchased have at least 30% post-consumer recycled content
• Recycle at least approximately 90 percent of discarded mixed office paper (defined as all types of white copier and printer paper, bond and letterhead paper, note paper, colored paper, and envelopes)
• Institute a policy of double-sided copying and printing for drafts and internal documents, which generally is implemented by setting copiers and printers on double-sided as the default mode and by making reasonable acquisitions of software and attachments as needed to enable double-sided as the default mode.

By adopting the double-sided copying policy, LNL has demonstrated that we are serious about our commitment to create a more sustainable workplace. Changing habits is never easy, but when it results in less waste and a more profitable workplace, the commitment to making the change is unchallenged.

Conservation Corners Home Tip of the Week:

Stay warm this winter...and save some money too!!

The winter winds are beginning to blow and that first snowflake just fell. So if you haven’t already, now is the time to start thinking about keeping yourself warm this winter. Follow these easy steps and you’ll stay warm while putting a few extra bucks in your pocket.

Watch your Thermostat. Turn down your thermostat while you are at work or while you sleep and you can decrease your overall energy consumption. Maintain Your Furnace. Change your filter once a month during the winter to increase furnace efficiency. Schedule an annual tune up to make sure your furnace is running safely and efficiently.

Plug leaks and holes. Make sure your attic and walls are properly insulated. Caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, pipes, and electrical outlets will help keep the cold out and the warm in.

Put Your Windows to Work. Install storm windows during the winter months or apply plastic window This goes along way in keeping drafts out. Simply closing curtains at night, allowing the sun to shine through south facing windows during the day will help keep you warm.

Don't overuse kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans in cold weather. These types of fans will pull the heat out of your home and counter energy saving efforts.

ideas courtesy of earthshare.org