Earth Day - April 22, 2008 - we can all do something
Today, April 22, 2008 is Earth Day. It is amazing that Earth Day has been around since 1970 and I only seem to remember hearing about it a few years ago. Last week I purchased several reusable shopping bags at Publix, a major chain in the Southeast. Initially, I thought the .99 price tag was just a gimmick to get people to buy a product. I see that I was wrong, as I bring my 4 bags back to the market with me, I am pleasantly surprised to see other shoppers doing the same. The bags are awesome. One bag takes the place of 4 plastic shopping bags and two large paper bags. Based on my bagging methods.
I spoke to Managing Partner, Brian LaBovick, Esq. regarding my post on Earth Day and asked what he was doing today to acknowledge Earth Day. After my story of the Publix "reusable shopping bags" he decided to go out and buy bags for all of our LaBovick & LaBovick staff members in an effort to help promote saving the environment in small steps. Yes, I mention small steps, because if we all take a few steps to make the environment better, it will make a difference. According to the EPA, companies can make a difference at the work place in helping the environment. A few simple things, to start with include: 1) reducing energy use, 2) Re-use or recycle office products, 3) Use water more efficiently 4) Efficient Commuting for the environment, this includes, working from home when possible, carpooling use of mass transportation 5) Turn off equipment, copier, printers, computers when not in use, 6) Use energy efficient lighting.
As a Boutique Florida Personal Injury Law firm, we are doing a little bit more than just giving reusable Publix Shopping bags to our employees. About a year ago, Managing Partner, Brian LaBovick, told me that he wanted to go paperless. He asked me to investigate and find the necessary steps on what it will take for us to be a paperless office. Imagine a paperless law firm. Believe it or not, they do exist. They are few and far between, but not impossible.
We are exploring the paperless office, which will take some time and effort, but in the interim, our Florida Injury Law Firm has taken some giant leaps in being more efficient and environmentally friendly. Last year we recycled old computers and monitors, after stripping them of all data, first. We shred and recycle paper and recycle cans that we use for beverages in the firm for staff and clients. We purchased a state of the art copier to scan documents for us to send PDFs of files to Doctors, Insurance Adjusters, Defense Counsel, Experts and others involved in Personal injury and Qui tam cases we are working on. This cuts down on the use of paper tremendously. We satisfy requests of those that prefer receiving paper instead of a PDF or file.
If our Florida Injury Law firm can take small steps in our business to help the environment, we encourage other firms to join in. A few weeks ago, the wonderful Governor of Florida, attended a "Going Green" event in Palm Beach County sponsored by Palm Tran. It is nice to see that officials in Florida are trying to make the public aware of their efforts to improve the environment.
You too can make a difference and do your part for our environment.
