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:
- 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!
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers (coming soon): Two new electric chargers are being installed on-site for attorneys and staff, and may also be used by clients and customers while meeting at our offices.
- Water Bottle Refill Station: to reduce plastic, we installed a refill station for staff and provided reusable cups.
- Recycling: we recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum through the City of Seminole’s recycling program. We also recycle wine corks at corkclub.com.
- Plates and Silverware: We use real plates and silverware to reduce waste from disposable paper plates and plastic utensils.
- Paperless Practices: each of the practice areas 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.
- Conference Room Technology: 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 and make real-time edits with clients. Reducing printing and client trips to our office for revisions.
- Green Team: We created an in-house team of attorneys and staff engaged in advancing sustainability within our organization.
- Donation Station: we have an ongoing “donation station” in our kitchen to encourage reuse. Staff may donate gently used books, household goods, and other items to fellow staff members. If it’s not claimed, it goes to a local charity.
- Rechargeable batteries for video equipment: our marketing department produces many educational and testimonial videos which require frequent battery use. To cut down on waste, they use rechargeable batteries for all their AV equipment when possible.
- ZOOM Meetings: we are incorporating more zoom meetings which mean fewer cars on the road resulting in less pollution.
- Composting: the marketing department recently started composting and it is going well, we hope to make it firm-wide in the future.
- 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 for reuse.
- QR Codes: use QR codes at events, on collateral, and on signage to reduce paper.
- Environmental Intern: While working full-time as a probate paralegal, Becky Brandt has been pursuing her passion for environmental stewardship and an Associate in 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.’"
