Trendsetting firms have significantly reduced their carbon footprint by improving their document management systems and becoming as paperless as possible, becoming more energy efficient, and by instituting recycling programs. Some are also generating revenue by advising clients on available incentives, including tax credits for constructing energy-efficient buildings or for making certain enhancements. Here are their stories: Starting From Within

"Anchin, Block & Anchin has taken a number of steps in recent years to 'go green.' What's important, however, is the realization that this is an ongoing and evolving process, not an event that will end once we have completed a number of initiatives," reports Ehud Sadan, associate managing partner with Anchin, Block & Anchin in New York City.

Here are highlights of this on-going process at Anchin:

• Purchasing recycled ink for the approximately 150 printers.
• Computers, servers, and electrical equipment are recycled through Dell's asset recovery program.
• Recycling of rechargeable batteries and cell phones.
• Light switches upgraded with motion detection switches, reducing by one-third the use of "unnecessary electricity."
• Network room reconfiguration materially reduced the number of servers and the amount of heat they generate, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in the electricity used in the server room.
• Audit, tax, business management, and other departments converted to a paperless environment through the use of document management systems.
• Clients receive their tax returns on CDs, unless they request otherwise.
• More than half of client and prospect communications are via e-mail.
• Disposable cups are paper rather than Styrofoam.
• Recycling bins for bottles and cans.
•  Earth Fair to introduce employees to earth-friendly processes and products.

SBLR LLP, Chartered Accountants in Toronto, has gone paperless with all files. It also has reduced energy usage by hibernating or turning off computers, monitors, and printers overnight and when not in use. "Our office building uses motion-sensored lighting in the parking garage, low-wattage halogen light bulbs in all common areas and elevators, and it has a central computer-controlled temperature control system to reduce heating and air conditioning costs. Our office is located steps from the subway and we encourage team members to use transit by paying the cost of transit fares for business-related travel," reports Jordan Gould, a SBLR partner.

The firm has also stopped using disposable plates and cutlery for in-office seminars and meals, and all e-mail correspondence has a footer message asking the reader to consider the environment before printing. Aimee Lavallee, marketing manager at SBLR also reports that the firm provides filtered tap water, eliminating the need for bottles or jugs, all computers are "star efficient" and meet specified energy-savings standards, photocopiers and computers are set for "sleep mode" if inactive for more than 10 minutes, and all paper is shredded and recycled.

WithumSmith+Brown, in Red Bank, N.J., has established an account with The Funding Factory, a recycling organization, that accepts used laser jet cartridges, ink jet cartridges, and old cell phones, earning cash towards the firm's account. "With the money earned from the recycling program, eco-friendly items can be purchased for staff to use, whether it is recycling bins for their offices or cloth-handle bags to use at stores instead of plastic bags. It's a self-perpetuating program, and the more we recycle, the more we earn, and the more we can continue 'green' efforts in other areas," explains Rhonda Maraziti, senior marketing coordinator at WS+B.

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