We have a long standing commitment to implementing processes and technologies that minimise our carbon footprint, including green audits, programmed sensors for lighting, low wattage globes, recycling, video conferencing and the installation of water saving devices.
We have virtualised the vast majority of our server infrastructure, saving in excess of 30% of the server energy bill and have developed a print reduction scheme by raising staff awareness and changing work practices, including the increased use of duplexing and soft copies. This has cut paper consumption and reduced environmentally problematic colour printing by 30%. We look to learn from our clients who we also assist with their sustainability agendas and to benchmark against their initiatives.
We are also supporting new sustainable initiatives, both in the workplace and in the general community, through our work with our community partners. In 2009, Mallesons became one of the first law firms to become a certified Fairtrade Workplace, with the assistance of one of our community partners, Oxfam Australia.
In 2009 we introduced Fairtrade tea to all of our staff kitchens and since we have also introduced Fairtrade coffee and drinking chocolate. This is just one of the ways in which we are helping to promote and explore sustainable issues.