Green Initiative Committee

All local law firms/offices employing one or more CMBA members are eligible to apply for CMBA Green Certification. To have your firm/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 frims/offices will be recognized by way of an annual certificate and online at the CMBA website.

Requests for 2019-2021 certifications are being accepted.
The Green Initiative Committee will recognize new and renewing firms/offices for 2019-21 Green Certification at the David Webster 2019 Greener Way to Work Day luncheon. Certified firms will be listed periodically in the CMBA Bar Journal and added to the list of certified firms below.

We encourage you to apply for CMBA Green Certification or Green+ Certification. For more information and certification criteria, contact Krista Kalata at (216) 696-3525.

Green Certification Criteria

A.) PAPER REDUCTION -- A commitment to 2 of the following 4 to reduce per capita paper use:

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 (For a list of this type of paper manufacturers, visit the American Forest & Paper Association).

B.) ENERGY REDUCTION -- A commitment to reduce office energy use by 10% the first year of certification. (Click here for suggestions on how to reduce energy usage). 

C.) RECYCLING PROGRAM -- Must have or form a firm/office program for recycling glass, plastic and e-waste products (toner cartridges, computers, etc.) For a list of recyclable materials, visit the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. 

D.) INTERNAL GREEN COMMITTEE – Must have or form a firm/office Green Committee or designated administrator to implement the program, interface with the CMBA, and generally encourage environmentally-responsible practices among staff.

Green+ Certification Criteria

A.) PAPER REDUCTION -- a commitment to 4 of the following 5 to reduce per capita paper use:

1. Purchase office paper with at least an average of 50% recycled content.
2. Use double-sided copying and printing, at least for drafts and internal documents
3. Recycle discarded office paper
4. Purchasing office paper only from paper manufacturers with sustainable forestry management practices (For a list of this type of paper manufacturers, visit the American Forest & Paper Association).
5. Use electronic documents instead of paper (e.g.: for pre-bills)

B.) ENERGY REDUCTION -- Document compliance with one of the three options below. Documentation can be emailed to Tasha Johnson.

1. Submit documentation of a 10% reduction in per capita energy use from a baseline year designated by the applicant and commit to track energy usage for the two year certification p eriod to document a continuing downward trend in per capita energy use each year. (Click here for suggestions on how to reduce energy usage).
2. Submit documentation that your firm/office is a recipient of a NOACA Commuter Choice Award for excellence in promoting green commuting to/from work. The award must have been received in the past 12-15 months and does not include honorable mention recognition by NOACA.
3. Submit documentation of your participation in the U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership Program for documented use of alternative energy for commercial buildings.

C.) RECYCLING PROGRAM -- Must have or form a firm/office program for recycling glass, plastic, e-waste products (toner cartridges, computers, etc.) and other items. (For a list of recyclable materials, visit the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.)

D.) INTERNAL GREEN COMMITTEE -- Must have or form a firm/office Green Committee or designated administrator to implement the program, interface with CMBA, and generally encourage environmentally-responsible practices among staff.