As we rush headlong into the Christmas season, on the heels
of that other holiday emblematic of overindulgence that arrived just shortly
after America Recycles Day, recycling may well be on everyone’s mind as we
ponder ways to get rid of excess stuff. Regifting the box of chocolate-covered
pears a client just sent you? No problem by me—just be certain to remove the
gift tag. Sending leftover food items from the office get-togethers to a
homeless shelter? All the better. Those are sometimes easy, heart-pleasing fixes
to the problem of overconsumption, whether personally or professionally.
Recycling paper can be a feel-good activity (and cutting
down on usage can be a real money-saver), but law firms have to tread a bit
more carefully when they are getting rid of excess work product. After all, you
don’t want an overly enthusiastic paralegal to take a ream of used paper from
the recycling bin to her kindergartener’s classroom; five-year-olds and their
parents don’t need to color on one side and read all about a client’s
litigation options on the other.
In this season of excess even when the economy’s still
pretty tight, remember to recycle responsibly. Make sure that confidential information isn’t getting into
the wrong hands and that paper with sensitive material on it is handled and
disposed of properly. Know and address confidentiality issues with your firm’s recycler,
and make sure that everyone in a law firm knows what can be safely recycled and
what shouldn’t be. Teach, train, and
follow up. Just remember to print fewer sheets of paper (and make them
double-sided if you do!) while you’re strengthening your firm’s environmental
initiatives.
—Lori Tripoli
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