Withers Worldwide

Environment

We strive to carry out our business in a way that is considerate of our environmental impact. This is about being efficient and developing sustainable environmental practices. We are proud of what the firm has achieved so far, but acknowledge there is more to do.

• In 2004, an environmental assessment backed by the Corporation of London ranked our London office in the highest category for sustainability and environmental workings amongst offices in the City.
• In London, we recycle many materials, including 4 million sheets of waste paper and 440 toner and printer cartridges every year.
• 2000 litres of waste cooking oil per year from the London office kitchens is reprocessed as bio-fuel for motor vehicles.
• The firm no longer disposes of old air conditioning units. Where these can be operated in an environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient way they are reused, currently in four areas.
• We donate our old computers and other Information Technology to Maxitech, a scheme that recycles them for reuse. Maxitech is a stepping stone for unemployed people to bring them into employment and social inclusion ( www.maxitech.biz ).
• The day-to-day conduct of the firm’s operations has been reviewed to enhance energy savings. Simple domestic routines have been tightened so that computers, lights, and air conditioning plant are switched off every day and at weekends. The major building plant has been optimised for more efficient working by reducing peak load energy requirements.
• We now give priority of the limited parking spaces at our London offices to those who cycle to work or use motor scooters.
• The procurement of external support services has been completely revised to ensure that all companies agree to comply with best practice in minimising environmental impact. These services have also been restructured such that work is now aggregated, requiring less vehicle usage for example.
• The firm is investigating granular recycling of plastic and metal.

Mark Harper has overall responsibility for Environment in the UK and James Carolan in the US. Much of the work is carried out by members of the Operations Team – Peter Gibbons, Michael Priestley and Angela Conner in the UK and Julie Hackett in the US.