Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP
3000 Royal Centre
1055 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 3R3
Tel: 604.687.6575
Fax: 604.641.4949
Email: mailbox@bht.com
Website: www.bht.com

Green Program
BHT lawyers and clients increasingly are interested in environmental stewardship and responsibility.

In 2008, a grassroots initiative led by associates and staff resulted in the formation of BHT’s Green Committee. Chaired by two associate lawyers, the Committee has a highly diverse membership, consisting of both staff and lawyers from all levels and areas of practice. Its mandate is to seek to reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption of BHT, by considering and implementing environmentally-friendly office procedures and policies, and by encouraging BHT lawyers and staff to take simple, practical steps to become better environmental and energy stewards. In late 2008, the Committee begin rolling out a series of initiatives which it continues to pursue in early 2009, as follows:

• Paper reduction: campaign for increased use of double-sided printing and copying;
• Energy reduction: campaign to turn off lights and computer monitors when not in use;
• Feedback campaign: solicitation of “green” feedback and ideas from staff and lawyers;
• Education campaign: introduction of green intranet site, which includes summary of green feedback, monthly greening tips and internal initiatives;
• Green stewards: appointment of green stewards throughout firm;
• Policy development: drafting green policy document and related checklist.

The Committee also is considering ways to partner with the building manager in order to implement broader greening initiatives.

Upon its formation, the Green Committee also reviewed existing firm practices, and was pleased to learn that BHT already had a number of long-standing policies and practices relating to environmental conservation and stewardship. For a number of years, the firm has implemented the following “green” initiatives:

• Green procurement: procurement practices generally consider sustainability issues (including recent carpet and furniture purchases); energy-saving equipment is purchased wherever possible;
• Paper Management: BHT actively encourages paper reduction through the use of cutting-edge document management technology and related training for staff and lawyers; all copy paper contains at least 30% post-consumer content;
• Reduce Waste: Old office supplies, including binders and computers, are donated to non-profits or other entities on a regular basis;
• Recycling: paper, bottle and battery recycling stations exist throughout the firm;
• No Bottled Still Water: Board rooms are stocked with tap water, not still bottled water.

BHT looks forward to further considering ways to green its office space with the able guidance of its Green Committee and the investment of all members of the firm.

[posted February 4, 2009]