Darbys "Green Team” is committed to constantly challenging its operational and ancillary activities in order to reduce the firm's impact on the environment.
In support of this ambition we took on the challenge of becoming one of the first law firms in the country to gain ISO 14001 accreditation. ISO 14001 is the internationally-recognised management standard for environmental issues and is awarded to firms who can demonstrate not only that they are committed to tackling the environmental challenge but also that they have systems in place to manage and report on such issues as electricity consumption, trade and recycled waste, and on staff travel to work.
In everything we do and buy, we look at the environmental impact.
Darbys was proud to be awarded the accreditation in late 2010. The award recognises the work undertaken by the firm in reducing its impact on the environment and was achieved after rigorous independent assessment. There are rigourous six-monthly audits to keep us on our toes.
Achievements include:
Waste Recycling: increased recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic, batteries, mobile phones, toner cartridges, and glass;
Paper: reduction in paper use through changes to printing habits and e.g. recycling of discarded paper as notepads;
Electricity: daily and weekly moniitoring and the smart metering has led to a reduction of electricity consumption through changes to habits and investment in new equipment. New lighting has been fitted and "thin client" hardware has replaced the old power-hungry pc's. Overall consumption has been reduced hugely.
Travel: encouragement of non-car travel, including the purchase of office bicycles and participation in the Cycle-to-Work scheme.
Suppliers: the use wherever possible of local and environmentally -supportive suppliers.
Training: Increased use of webinars to avoid staff having to travel to Seminars.
Our work on this front does not stop.