The creation of the CMBA's Green Initiative and Green Initiative Committee (GIC) was first announced by 2008-09 President Michael E. Brittain at the 2008 CMBA Annual Meeting. The purpose of the GIC is to promote environmentally responsible programs ("green practices") for adoption by law firms, small law offices/solo practitioners, and the CMBA itself. The CMBA Green Initiative Committee will endeavor to promote its own suggested Green Practices to Cleveland firms in an effort to lessen the cumulative effects on the environment. This presentation discusses the requirements for certification and the CMBA’s role in being a "green leader".

Since it began, the GIC has worked on a comprehensive CMBA Green Initiative, the center stone of which is a Green Certification Program.

The Green Initiative Committee has developed a Carbon Footprint Calculator for Legal Services Organizations.  Download your free copy today!

 For more information on the Green Initiative, please contact: Rita Klein

Green Initiative Committee:

Douglas McWilliams (Chair)	Meagan DeJohn	Deborah Nicastro
Devin Barry	Katy Franz	Aaron O'Brien
Maureen Brennan	Lillian Greene	Jason Perdion
Michael Brittain	Hal Gunder	Irene Rennillo
Peter Brosse	Elena Hauck	David Ricco
Yelena Boxer	Chris Hanwell	Carter Strang
Michelle Cook	Emily McBeath	Dawn Tarka
Sara Ravas Cooper	Judith Walker Miles	Alan Weinberg
		Leslie Wolfe

Sub-Committee Leadership:

Green Certification Criteria Sub-Committee -- to address certification criteria on an ongoing basis; to look at certified firm/office recognition
Maureen Brennan (Chair)
Peter Brosse
Sara Cooper
Katy Franz
Douglas McWilliams
Carter Strang

Events/Publicity Sub-Committee -- to work on planning “green” events and generating publicity for CMBA GIC and related events
Michelle Cook (Chair)
Katy Franz
Chris Hanwell
Douglas McWilliams
Aaron O'Brien
Carter Strang
Dawn Tarka

The CMBA will certify participating firms/offices as Green, in accordance with the criteria laid out below. All local law firms/offices employing one or more CMBA members are eligible to apply for CMBA Green Certification. To have your firm or office CMBA Green Certified, a firm/office contact or administrator must demonstrate, in writing, that the firm/office is in compliance with the established criteria. Certified firms/offices will be recognized by way of an annual certificate and online at the CMBA website.

Requests for 2012-14 certification are being accepted. The certification is eligible for renewal every two years, and the committee will welcome new firms/offices in September at the David Webster Greener Way to Work Day (see the events tab). It's easy to be green.  Check out the criteria below.

We encourage you to apply for CMBA Green Certification using our online forms.

Standard Green Certification Criteria: (apply online here) (for Green+ Certification criteria and application, click here)

A.)    Efforts to reduce per capita paper use (a commitment to 2 of the following 4 must be made): 

    1.     purchasing office paper with at least 30% recycled content. 
    2.     using double-sided copying and printing, at least for drafts and internal documents 
    3.     recycling discarded office paper 
    4.     purchasing office paper only from paper manufacturers with sustainable forestry management practices (click here to visit the American Forest & Paper Association for information on this type of paper manufacturer)

B.)    A commitment to reduce office energy use by 10% in the first year of certification (click here for tips on reducing energy usage [PDF])

C.)    The existence (or formation) of a firm/office program for recycling glass, plastic and e-waste products (toner cartridges, computers, etc.)

D.)    The existence (or formation) of a firm/office Green Committee or designated administrator to implement the program, interface with the CMBA, and generally encourage environmentally-responsible practices amongst staff. 

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50 firms/offices are currently certified.

Firms certified for 2011-13. The list below was last updated on Oct. 12, 2011.
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Collins & Scanlon, LLP
Dubyak Connick Thompson & Bloom, LLC
John V. Heutsche, Co., LPA
Kevin Cronin, Attorney at Law
Major Legal Services, LLC Legal Recruiters
Muskovitz & Lemmerbrock, LLC

Firms certified for 2010-12. The list below was last updated on Feb. 1, 2011.
American Civil Liberties Union
Baker & Hostetler LLP
Brouse McDowell
Brzytwa Quick & McCrystal, LLC
Budish, Solomon, Steiner & Peck, Ltd.
Cady Reporting Services, Inc.
Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
City of Cleveland Department of Law
Cleveland Law Library Association
The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association
Department of Health & Human Services—Office of Medicare Hearings & Appeals
Eaton Corporation Law Department
Frantz Ward LLP
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority—Legal Affairs Division
Hahn Loeser +  Parks LLP
Hickman & Lowder Co., L.P.A.
Icove Legal Group, Ltd.
John J. Ready & Associates
Jones Day
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Licata & Toerek
McMahon DeGulis LLP
Mehler & Hagestrom Court Reporters
Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis
Mishkind Law Firm
The Moskowitz Firm LLC
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C
Ott & Associates Co., LPA
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur
Records & Reporting , Inc.
Rennillo Deposition & Discovery
Roetzel & Andress, LPA
Schneider, Smeltz, Ranney & LaFond P.L.L.
Seeley, Savidge, Ebert & Gourash Co., LPA
Spangenberg, Shibley & Liber LLP
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
Thacker Martinsek, LPA
Thompson Hine LLP
Tucker Ellis & West LLP
Ulmer & Berne LLP
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Walter & Haverfield LLP
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A.

Firms and offices who have participated in its Green Computing program through OneCommunity and RET3 Job Corp. will be recognized at the annual David Webster Greener Way to Work Day lunch (see Events tab). This program handles the collection of unwanted computers and technology equipment so it can be refurbished and distributed to Northeast Ohio schools. If you have equipment that you no longer need, please contact RET3 at 216-361-9991, ext. 100 to put it to work for area students.

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GREEN COMPUTING PARTNERSHIP BACKGROUND

In the spring of 2011, the CMBA Green Initiative Committee joined with OneCommunity and RET3 Job Corp. Inc. for its Green Computing Program. Through this program unwanted computers and other e-waste is donated and then refurbished for distribution to Northeast Ohio schools.  The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is the largest recipient of the refurbished computers, which enables the District to close the “digital divide” by increasing the number of computers in classrooms without incurring additional capital costs for doing so.  The CMBA is reaching out to all law firms and offices requesting that they donate their unwanted computers and other e-waste for later use by local schools.  This is the ultimate “win-win”:  e-waste does not go to landfills and schools receive much needed computers at no cost to them, benefiting the students they serve.  To participate or for more information (including a short video regarding Green Computing), see the Green Initiative Committee’s web site (Green Computing, Articles & More, and Resources Tabs).

As of August 15, 2011, RET3 Job Corp is coordinating all Green Computing Program inquiries, requests, donations and pickups.  Please contact Ken Kovatch at RET3 Job Corps for assistance:

RET3 Job Corps
1814 East 40th Street
Cleveland, OH 44103
Phone:  216-361-9991, x100

Or visit the RET3 website (www.ret3.org) for additional information.

OneCommunity is still committed to the goal of providing recycled computers to local schools and will continue to collaborate with RET3 Job Corps to support and sustain the program, but will no longer be involved in day-to-day operations of the program.

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CMBA Partners with OneCommunity’s Green Computing Program
Recycling drive kicks off partnership to provide computers and technology assets to Northeast Ohio schools

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA)  partnered with OneCommunity’s Green Computing program to collect unwanted computers and technology equipment so it can be refurbished and distributed to Northeast Ohio schools.

The first co-sponsored event  was a recycling drive on April 28 from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Galleria and Tower at Erieview at the East 12th Street entrance. For this event, the CMBA encouraged attorneys and law firms to contribute unwanted computers, LCD monitors, printers and cell phones to OneCommunity. The recycling drive, supported by employees from e-Waste LLC (a recycling services company), was one step toward helping OneCommunity collect several thousand computers needed by this June for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).

The CMBA/OneCommunity partnership is ongoing and was coordinated by the CMBA’s Green Initiative Committee (GIC) with a dual goal of reducing the amount of computer e-waste that goes to landfills – a serious and growing environmental problem – and addressing the computer needs of students. CMBA President-Elect Carter Strang, who formerly served as GIC chair calls the effort “a huge ‘win-win’ for the environment and our school children. It is great to see our attorneys and bar association helping to address both needs.”

Although today’s students have grown up with technology and are instructionally motivated by digital learning, too many students still lack in-school access to technology because of budgetary restrictions. Recognizing that gap, OneCommunity developed its Green Computing program to provide refurbished computers to Northeast Ohio schools and, thereby, enable 21st-century learning.

Meeting the computer needs of the CMSD is a natural fit for the CMBA, which is now in the fifth year of its award-winning 3Rs program that puts 500 attorneys in CMSD classrooms each month to teach a law-based curriculum and provide career counseling. CMBA attorneys also coach CMSD students to compete in the Mock Trial Competitions.

The CMBA’s GIC promotes environmentally responsible practices through its Green Certification program, through which 44 law firms and offices are “CMBA Green Certified.” It also created a “Carbon Footprint Calculator” for law firms/offices to calculate their carbon footprint, and the GIC gives an annual “Green Innovation Award“ to the law firm/office with the most innovative environmental program.

Law firms/offices that donate computers and other e-technology through the CMBA/OneCommunity’s Green Computing program will be recognized by the CMBA at its Third Annual David Webster Greener Way to Work Day Luncheon on September 23, 2011.

Annual David Webster "Greener Way to Work Day" - September 23, 2011

The Green Initiative Committee (GIC) held its third annual David Webster Greener Way to Work Day on Friday, September 23, 2011. This day encourages those at firms and offices in the Cleveland area to find greener ways to travel to work, whether by mass transit, biking or carpooling. Thank you to those who participated and found greener ways to travel to work that day!

The day featured a noon luncheon at the CMBA offices to honor the memory of David Webster, a former GIC member, founder of the Clean Air Conservancy and CMBA President-Elect, who died in March 2009.

At the luncheon, newly Green Certified firms and offices were recognized and presented with certificates and logos. For information on how to get your firm/office certified or to view a complete list of certified firms/office, click here.

The luncheon also included the presentation of the CMBA Green Innovation Award, which recognizes a firm/office that has taken action toward sustainability that goes beyond the requirements for CMBA Green Certification. The 2011 Green Innovation Award was presented to Roetzel & Andress, LPA because it demonstrated unique practices for reusing and recycling within the firm, while also supporting the community.

Green Innovation Award Winners
2011 - Roetzel & Andress, LPA
2010 - Tucker Ellis & West LLP
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR LUNCHEON SPONSORS:

Table Sponsors
Baker & Hostetler LLP
Cady Reporting Services, Inc.
Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Dubyak Connick Thompson & Bloom, LLC
Jones Day
Judge David T. Matia
Mehler & Hagestrom
Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis
Roetzel & Andress
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (US)  LLP
Thompson Hine LLP
Treasury Alliance Group
Tucker Ellis & West LLP
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A.

Corporate Sponsors
CB Richard Ellis
Cintas Corporation
RTA
RET3
e-Waste LLC
Xerox

In-Kind Sponsors
The Bike Rack
Cady Reporting Services
Cleveland Cavaliers
RTA

 

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The first David Webster "Greener Way to Work Day" was held on Sept. 25, 2009. Click here to watch Carter Strang, chair of the committee, talk about the day.

Photos of the 2010 luncheon

 

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New Bike Location Opens in Cleveland for Commuters
See the story in The Plain Dealer on the newly opened bike facility in downtown Cleveland.  The Bike Rack opened in the Gateway district on Aug. 26, offering riders a secure place to store their bikes and shower, for a fee.

Green News

Cleveland: Epicenter of the Environmental Movement?
See the story in CoolCleveland that talks about the turnaround of Cleveland and the recent efforts of EcoWatch.

New Bike Location Opens in Cleveland for Commuters
See the story in The Plain Dealer on the newly opened bike facility in downtown Cleveland.  The Bike Rack opened in the Gateway district on Aug. 26, offering riders a secure place to store their bikes and shower, for a fee.

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RTA offers bike shelters. Bike shelters are at two West side rapid stations so they can leave their bikes when traveling downtown. Shelters are at Triskett and West 117th Street stations. More info.

Rack-and-roll
Each year, more than 50,000 riders board RTA buses and trains with their bicycle, as part of RTA’s Rack-N-Roll program. The program, now 10 years old, includes a two-bicycle rack on the front of every bus in the fleet, as well as bike racks at most rail stations and customer facilities. Combining a bike ride with public transit is a great 1-2 punch for the environment.

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Avon woman says rain barrel is way to go green (article) 

VIDEOS

CMBA members can get free pick up for recycling electronics and computers through various providers. Click on the "resources" tab for more information.

Speaking of recycling computers, watch the videos below to learn more about green computing.

CMBA and OneCommunity Recycling Drive 2011

 

PHOTOS

 

	Former GIC Chair Carter Strang and Joe Tarasco of OneCommunity participated in the Cleveland Cavs' Green Day program where they displayed materials regarding the CMBA's Green Initiative and OneCommunity.
	Click here or on image at left to view photos from the 2010 David Webster Greener Way to Work Day Luncheon.

 

Articles

Below are links to articles and other presentation information on green initiatives, best practices and more.

In the 2010 presentation entitled,  Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Carbon Footprints , Douglas A. McWilliams of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. discusses Carbon footprints—what they are, why/how to calculate, issues surrounding calculation, and helpful resources.  In addition, the GHG Monitoring Rule is reported on in detail.

Learn more about your Carbon Footprint with the Carbon Footprint Calculator for Legal Services Organizations.

Title:  Local Lawyer Comes to Defense of Sustainability
In an article from Cleveland Business Connects Magazine, author Lynne Meyer writes about Carter Strang of Tucker Ellis & West and how he developed the idea of the CMBA Green Initiative Committee, the Green Certification process for firms/companies and then the David Webster Greener Way to Work Day event. Click here for a PDF of the full article.

Title:  Law Firms Build a Case for Green: Recent Trends in Law Firm Sustainability Practices
CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Law Firm Practice Group published this report in October 2010. A first in the commercial real estate services industry, the report covers sustainable strategies currently employed by law firms, including the specific practices of several CBRE clients on American Lawyer's Top 100 Law Firms list. The report specifically addresses the application and cost considerations of select sustainable strategies and considers the impacts of these and other trends in the context of the law firm industry's evolving real estate requirements. Click here to download the report.

Title:  How Green Is My Law Firm?
Rachel Loper and Robert Loper discuss environmental sustainability from the reasons to consider it to specific implementation procedures in their article entitled How Green Is My Law Firm?
http://www.bdlaw.com/assets/attachments/How_Green_is_My_Law_Firm.pdf

Title:  The green(er) law practice
In this article, authors Evelyne Michaut and Rob Watson suggest green practices for many aspects of legal firms, advice for firms at many different “shades of green”.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+green(er)+law+practice:+your+firm+can+save+money+-+and+help+save...-a0178218680

Title:  How green is my orange?
Author Andrew Martin examines the environmental costs of Pepsi Co.’s Tropicana with specific emphasis on global warming.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/business/worldbusiness/22iht-22pepsi.19583527.html

Title:  New Energy Institute Targets Renewable Power, Storage and Efficiency
Case Western Reserve University’s Fall 2008 edition of Next Generation discusses the Great Lakes Institute for Energy Innovation at Case Western Reserve University and its efforts in developing “energy use strategies” while focusing on research and development, economic development, and education.  A fresh water wind project and Cleveland’s carbon footprint are also discussed.
http://www.generationfoundation.org/pubs/GenFdnFall2008news.pdf

The Green Committee is happy to provide information for resources and providers to assist you in your efforts to be green.  If you have others we should consider, please contact Rita Klein at the CMBA.

	Cady Reporting Services, Inc., has served the legal community in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio since 1979, providing a full range of court reporting services and has been green certified by the CMBA. Cady Reporting  understands that our business practices have a direct impact on the environment. One example of its green technology and service is eBriefs, where text and video testimony exist in one easy place. Learn more about eBriefs
	OneCommunity and RET3 provide "Green Computing" as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way for your to donate used computer equipment. OneCommunity works closely with Northeast Ohio school systems to match up the donated items with the needs of the schools. RET3 refurbishes, remanufactures and recycles the items and is fully compliant with EPA standards, Department of Defense-Certified in Data Destruction, and backed by a 100% no-landfill guarantee. Green Computing is an easy and rewarding opportunity to place much needed computers in our schools.  They do the pick up, you get the tax benefit. For more information, visit  www.ret3.org.
	The EcoRewards Commercial Recycling Program was designed to specifically address the needs of the business recycling customer by taking a comprehensive consultative approach to helping customers maximize their waste diversion and cost savings. From your desk, to the curb, to the recycling mill and back, we are a proven and trusted Full Circle Recycler that will design, support, and optimize a successful program for your company. This is a program of AbitibiBowater -- the largest manufacturer of newsprint and commercial printing papers in the world with over 40 grades of paper made with recycled paper fiber content. For more visit www.ecorewards.com.
	The Paper Retriever Program offers a community based fund raising recycling service to non-profit organizations such as schools, churches and civic organizations. With over 24,000 containers, this program provides a huge economy of scale that has allowed us to offer a very competitive commercial recycling program. In 2006, the Paper Retriever® program paid nearly $5.0 million to schools, churches & non-profit organizations. This is a program of AbitibiBowater, a world class recycling partner who knows how to return maximum value to our customers from their recycling streams. For more information, contact Denise Piotrowski at (216) 961-3900 or visit www.paperretriever.com
	Cell Phones for Cancer, LLC, is an electronics recycling company. The company recycles any electronics with a cord. Pickups are done within 48 hours and are free for Cleveland Metro Bar Association members (saving $125 through the CMBA's MVP Program). Cell Phones for Cancer, LLC, recycles the electronics and refurbishes when possible. Hard drives are destroyed for free. Certificates of Destruction are given to clients after items are picked up. The Company that is recycling the electronics will receive a tax deductible letter, as the proceeds are donated to Beachwood based non-profit, The Gathering Place. Please contact RJ Campbell at (216) 970-0177 or visit www.CellPhonesForCancer.com