Summers Compton Wells is proud to be a participant in The St. Louis Green Business Challenge. Our sustainability Initiatives list how our office is Going Green. Initiatives include creating a paper “less” office, reducing waste, using sustainable products, decreasing energy use, introducing a clean air environment and more.
The St. Louis Green Business Challenge assists companies with integrating sustainable measures into the kinds of daily operations common to every business. Participants identify and voluntarily adopt strategies that improve financial performance and reduce environmental impacts, while engaging employees toward both workplace and community benefits.The Challenge is a program of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Started in 2010, in partnership with the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Challenge leveraged the Chamber’s broad business network with the Garden’s sustainability resources to grow a network of companies committed to green policy and practice.
Our Initiatives
Create a Paper “Less” Office
Before you print – STOP – and think about if printing is absolutely necessary.
Encourage duplex (two-sided) printing and/or copying on the main copy machines on each floor.
Include the Electronic File Only language in ALL client engagement letters.
Distribute documents (such as phone list, stats, etc.) electronically rather than on paper.
Encourage production of documents (such as discovery) to be sent through secure iManage Share site.
When closing a file, make sure all physical documents are included in the electronic file then have the physical file shredded, when possible.
Encourage clients to agree to receive electronic monthly bills.
Encourage our vendors to send bills electronically and agree to receive payment via ACH.
Shredding, Recycling & Reducing Waste
Recycling bins in every office, workstation and common areas. All paper recyclable material to be placed in the bins.
Recycling bins are emptied by shredding company. All shredded material is sent out for recycling.
Aluminum recycling bin in the kitchen. All cans to be placed in the appropriate bin.
All toner cartridges are recycled.
All delivery boxes are broken down and shredding company picks them up to be recycled.
Use of trash compactor in kitchen for non-recyclable materials.
Purchasing & Using Sustainable Products
Use of filtered water machine to eliminate bottled water completely.
Use of compostable plates and bowls.
Use of washable coffee cups and glasses instead of disposable items.
All paper has at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Reuse office supplies whenever possible (file folders, pens, notepads, etc.).
Decreasing Energy Usage
Eliminated computer server for document management and moved to the Cloud.
All computers are Energy Star rated.
All printers and copiers are Energy Star rated.
Encourage “lights out” when attorneys leave their office to attend a meeting at another location.
All computers and monitors are to be turned off before leaving for the day.
Kitchen appliances are Energy Star rated.
Clean Air Environment
Smoking prohibited in the building and within 25 feet of any of the entrances.
Delivery people are not allowed to keep their vehicles idling.
All exempt employees, attorneys and paralegals have remote access to reduce or eliminate commuting on some occasions.
All attorneys are provided with a laptop (Surface) and docking stations for their work and home office so that they can work remotely.
Conserving Water Usage
Where possible, substitute outdoor landscaping with native plants to reduce the need for pesticides, fertilizers, or watering.
