Hunt & Coombs: The First Law Firm to get Investors in the Environment Green!
Green Success Story
The first law firm to get Investors in the Environment Green!
Hunt & Coombs Solicitors is one of the region’s leading law firms, established in Peterborough in 1934. The firm employs specialist lawyers operating in diverse fields of the law including commercial and residential property, company commercial, wills and probate, charities and not for profit, agriculture, litigation, family, employment, personal injury, crime and mental health.
Hunt & Coombs Solicitors has been promoting environmental issues for over a decade and first developed an Environmental Policy in 2006. They started measuring the monthly usage of gas, electric and water in 2008/9. Environmental issues and the work they do in the community continue to form a key part of their Corporate Social Responsibility policy.
In October 2010 Hunt & Coombs Solicitors entered the Peterborough Miles Better Challenge where staff were encouraged to travel to work sustainably and save emissions. They won in the ‘50 to 250 employees’ category and were rewarded with the use of an office masseuse for the day!
When PECT launched Investors in the Environment in 2010 Hunt & Coombs Solicitors signed up straight away; it was time to focus on environmental issues, get staff engaged and shout more about what they were doing. In 2011 they were awarded iiE Silver. They had for many years recognised that as a business they have an impact on the environment and the Partners took the decision to minimise this impact and also improve the firm’s efficiency. The firm wanted to further improve its environmental performance in relation to services and operations and achieving this accreditation was the first clear recognition of the real improvements that had been made.
Hunt & Coombs Solicitors developed a travel plan, action plans, started using more recycled paper and continued to improve recycling arrangements. They updated their website to reflect their commitment to environmental issues. Having achieved Silver, they got the bug and decided to aim for Investors in Environment Green accreditation in 2012. It remains an achievement of which they are hugely proud!
In November 2013, they reached the final and were highly commended in the Environmental Awareness category of the Peterborough Telegraph Business Awards. In 2014 they took part in the Travelchoice Workplace challenge where one staff member, won for the whole of Peterborough and also came top of the walking and public transport leader-boards! She scored 2065 points. As a firm overall they came 8th in Peterborough. Those who took part at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors together burned 29,000 calories and saved 480kg in carbon emissions. In November 2014 they were thrilled to be awarded the iiE Great Green Star Award. This really was the icing on the cake.
The key to their success has been the commitment of staff. They have been encouraged to take part in any way they can and have come up with new ideas and suggestions which has enabled a continuous improvement of environmental performance over recent years.
Reminders to turn off lights, print double-sided and only print when really necessary, compost tea bags and apple cores, recycle sandwich packaging and get involved in the latest competition for growing the best vegetables or the tallest sunflower have all helped get staff involved! Many staff now car share with colleagues or family with some others walking to work every day or cycling. Those with children are passing on their enthusiasm; the daughter of one is on her school Eco Committee and many staff involve their children with gardening and tending allotments.
For over 3 years, Hunt & Coombs Solicitors has been collecting and logging weekly data for use of water, gas and electricity. They also measure use of paper, recycling of confidential and general waste and costs of travelling to training courses. The whole process has been a very positive one for the firm, made more fun by and rewarding as a result of the support and encouragement from all at iiE and PECT.
- 26% reduction in the use of electricity compared with 5 years ago.
- 39% reduction in the use of gas compared with 5 years ago.
- Over 60 % reduction in costs of travel to training courses since 2008.
- Financial savings on the use of gas, electric and water have now exceeded £10,000 since 2010.
- 97% of waste recycled during the last Zero Waste Week challenge.
- Nearly 5000 Christmas Cards recycled to M & S/Woodland Trust plant a tree scheme-2016/ 17
- Sponsors of the Thorpe Road Roundabout (wild flower are sewn)
- Winners of the 2017 Peterborough Telegraph Awards Environment category.
Consultant, Denis White: “We are delighted to once again receive the Investors in the Environment Green award. It’s apparent that more businesses are recognising the importance of creating a sustainable future for all. Staff at Hunt & Coombs have been extremely supportive, and through encouragement over recent years, we have continued to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment and are working hard to make sure this continues.”
Hunt & Coombs Solicitors is an established law firm offering a full range of company and personal legal services.
From its offices in Peterborough, Oundle, Huntingdon and St Neots, Hunt & Coombs Solicitors serves its local communities with a refreshingly modern and personal touch, backed up by professionalism and legal expertise. With impressive accreditations across numerous professional bodies and a transparent fees structure, its culture and standards make us Hunt & Coombs Solicitors an ideal place for you to come whenever you need legal advice or support. For further information please contact 01733 882800 or visit www.hcsolicitors.co.uk.