DHC and STC are going green! While a law firm and title company may not be a traditional setting for environmental stewardship, we recognize there is room for such endeavors everywhere. With the opportunities provided by our new building, we have been taking action in the workplace. In celebration of our new green initiatives, we are offering free reusable bags that you can pick up in the lobby of our new office (one per person while supplies last).
Here are some of our green initiatives:
- Green Team: We created an in-house team of attorneys and staff to advance sustainability within our organization. They also plan guest speakers, field trips, and volunteer opportunities with local environmental groups. You can join our Green Team at dhclaw.com/GreenTeam.
- Paperless Practices: Each practice area is working toward a more “paperless practice,” which increases efficiency, saves space, and is readily available on our network for our professional staff and attorneys.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers: Two new electric chargers have been installed on-site for attorneys and staff. Law firm clients and customers of the title company may also use them while meeting at our offices.
- Electric Vehicle (EV): We recently purchased a Ford E-Transit as a company van for runs to the bank, post office, courthouse, community events, and so much more!
- Water Bottle Refill Station: To reduce plastic, we installed a refill station and provided all staff with reusable tumblers.
- Recycling: we recycle paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum through the City of Seminole’s recycling program. We also recycle wine corks at corkclub.com.
- Conference Room Technology: There are no more back-and-forth trips to their office to print off documents for review. The attorneys and paralegals can review the documents on a large monitor in our conference rooms and make real-time edits with clients, reducing printing and client trips to our office for revisions.
- Conference Room Names: In our office, we have a lot of outdoor enthusiasts and animal lovers. In that spirit, all of the DeLoach, Hofstra & Cavonis, P.A. (DHC), and Seminole Title Company (STC) conference room names were inspired by Florida's beautiful coastal and wetland birds. Click here to read more.
- Special Events and Meetings: For meetings, we use real plates and silverware to reduce waste from disposable paper plates and plastic utensils. We use compostable plates and serving ware made from materials such as bamboo for larger events.
- "Meatless Meetings": all events sponsored by the Green Team are vegetarian
- Donation Station: Our kitchen has an ongoing “donation station” to encourage reuse. Staff may donate gently used books, household goods, and other items to fellow staff members. If the items are not claimed, they go to FLUFF's Stuff Re-Tail for Rescue.
- Rechargeable Batteries for Video and Office Equipment: Our marketing department produces many educational and testimonial videos that require frequent battery use. They use rechargeable batteries for all their AV equipment to reduce waste when possible. They also use reusable batteries for wireless keyboards, mice, label makers, and other office equipment.
- Zoom Meetings: We are incorporating more Zoom meetings, which means fewer cars on the road and less pollution.
- Composting: The law firm collects and composts coffee grounds and other organic matter.
- Packing Materials: We reuse a lot of our boxes and packing materials. If we don’t use it, we recycle the cardboard and drop off any unused packing materials at our local UPS store for reuse.
- QR Codes: Use QR codes at events, on collateral, and signage to reduce paper.
- Baskets: We receive various gifts throughout the year and have amassed an extensive collection of nice baskets. At Easter, we offer them to staff for free to make baskets for their children. We also have plenty of extra filler and artificial grass to be used for decoration.
- Environmental Interns:
- The law firm is currently hosting two interns from Eckerd College who are assisting with the Green Team and the firm's sustainability initiatives.
- While working full-time as a probate paralegal, Becky Brandt has been pursuing her passion for environmental stewardship and an Associate Science degree in Environmental Science at St. Petersburg College. As part of her graduation requirements, she interned at the firm, working to reduce our environmental footprint and move us toward sustainable practices. Becky’s activities included organizing an energy audit with Duke Energy, encouraging paper and power reduction, and introducing composting. Becky’s on-site advisor, Simone DeLoach, said, "The firm truly values the important and meaningful work Becky is doing. She has become our ‘green ambassador.’"
