Many Law Firms are moving to greener pastures. From the State Bar of California Lawyers Eco-pledge to the ABA Law Office Climate Challenge, there is a perceived and real need to move to a more environmentally friendly practice.

There are a number of good reasons for the shift.

The EPA states that the air in office buildings is up to 10 times worse than the air outside. Toxics in paint, carpets and office furniture (including formaldehydes and BPAs among others) in connection  with printers, vinyl binders, and other plastics that are added into a building add up to unhealthy work conditions. Sick people have lower productivity rates which end up costing the firm money. This is beside the fact that if you work in one of these buildings, you are one of the people breathing the bad air.

Waste management is another important issue. It costs money to have garbage carted away. After a big case, those 500,000+ documents need to be shredded and hauled away. The 100 - 200 3-ring binders have fallen apart and need to be replaced as well as copies, memos, and other paraphernalia associated with that case. If most of this can be recycled, it saves a huge amount of energy, water and air pollution in addition to the more obvious trees. Recycled paper uses about a third of the energy and water compared to virgin wood papers, and generates significantly less air pollution.

Perception is also key. Even if your firm in does not specialize in 'green' clients, the perception that you are proactive, forward thinking and on the leading edge bolsters your image in your community and in the field. It has been shown that even if your clients don't identify as green, most of them appreciate the trend toward healthier living.

How Naked Binder Can Help:

How we fit into the State Bar of California Lawyers Eco-pledge:

• Using 100% post consumer, chlorine free recycled paper.
  
• Eliminate Disposables - most vinyl binders fall apart quickly with even moderate use.  Naked Binders are designed to last ten years and tested to 250,000 flexes with out fail.
  
• Re-Use equipment and supples - because of their longevity, Naked Binders 3-ring binders can be used for multiple cases with no problem.
  
• Reduce Toxic Chemicals - Vinyl has been taken out of most cars and children's toys for a reason.  It is toxic.
  
• Purchase Sustainable Products: as an FSC certified 100% post consumer product designed to last, and 100% recyclable, Naked Binders and Pocket Folders are among the most sustainable products on the market.
  
• Use Sustainable Service Providers.  Naked Binder has been sustainable from day one. Even If you want a custom printed binder, our sister company Corporate Image is an FSC certified printer using soy inks.
  
• Recycle. Our binders are 100% recyclable, and easily so.
  

 

How we fit into the ABA Law Office Climate Challenge:

• Technically, this Wastewise program seems to be aimed at the copy paper part of a law firm, though we conform to the using at least 30% recycled paper. They are also aiming at reducing energy use and CO2 emissions from using virgin wood paper.  The Naked Binder line is made with 100% post consumer waste board, cutting energy, air pollution and water needed to create it by over a third.
  

Part of the Bay Area Green Business Program?

• Purchase paper with at least 30% post - consumer content and at least 2 other recycled-content products.
• Reduce waste in 7 different ways.
• Conduct a waste reduction assessment of solid waste streams - Naked Binders are 100% recyclable.
  

Suggested options for Law Binders:

The Classic Binder, Project Binder and Naked Binder all come in ring sizes that hold up to 550 sheets of paper.  In the large sizes we use the best ring on the market, a locking slant-D to insure your papers will stay where you want them

If you want to have healthier air, cutting vinyl 3-ring binders completely out of your firm is a great idea. Ever walk into a room of binders and smell the vinyl? Those are the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that you are trying to eliminate. Added to the confusion is that the vinyl binders fall apart so quickly and should not technically be sent to regular landfill.

There are options that are stronger, last longer, are 100% post consumer waste and 100% recyclable. Naked Binder offers 5 styles of FSC certified 3-ring binders. Our binders were tested to 250,000 flexes without failing, meaning that these binders could last your firm for many cases.