Harris Beach selected in law office Climate Challenge

The law firm of Harris Beach has been awarded the distinction of qualifying for membership in an exclusive club: an environmental sustainability program called the ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge launched last year by the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge is designed to encourage law offices to take specific steps to conserve energy and resources, as well as reduce emissions of greenhouse gases which cause global climate change and other pollutants. Participating law firms meet the Climate Challenge by undertaking best practices for office paper management or by participating in one or more of three EPA partnership programs. Harris Beach is participating in the Best Practices for Office Paper Management program in conjunction with its Practice Green initiative to promote environmental stewardship through internal waste reduction, recycling, and energy conservation practices. The firm is committed to environmental stewardship and its internal Practice Green initiative reflects the energy, environmental law, and sustainability advice it provides its clients. The Best Practices for Office Paper Management program recognizes that law offices tend be paper-intensive and provides guidance relative to setting paper reduction and recycling goals, and purchasing paper with at least a 30% post-consumer recycled content. Harris Beach CEO James Spitz, Jr. said, "Our Practice Green initiative is an opportunity to enhance our day-to-day activities and thus enhance our overall efficiency. Practicing green enables us to contribute to environmental conservation efforts and advise clients on implementing green initiatives. Practicing green is a smart business decision that brings rewards on several levels." Harris Beach's Energy Practice advises organizations with all issues related to sustainability from developing the business case to identifying the various resources needed to achieve a green footprint with current facilities or new building projects. The firm represents renewable and traditional energy companies across the state. Their non-legal consulting affiliate HB Cornerstone LLC provides architectural and project management services to develop green, energy efficient and LEED certified facilities. Harris Beach's Practice Green and Sustainability Practice initiative is driven by a growing awareness that the world's limited environmental resources cannot be sustained without adjusting approaches to energy and other resource consumption. Harris Beach estimates it can save more than 400 trees each year by switching to recycled paper, and save an additional 400 trees each year by implementing double-sided/duplex printing standards. All Harris Beach printer-copiers default to double-sided/duplex printing and all Harris Beach offices purchase copy paper that contains 30% post-consumer recycled content. All Harris Beach offices have paper shredding and recycling programs and drop locations for recycling of cans.