Green Business Policy, Mobile Notary
ABC Legal Docs, LLC is committed to reducing its business impact on the environment.
As a micro-business, with a self-employed owner and no other current employees, we have a minimal environmental impact, but choose to operate as a responsible eco-friendly green business.
This policy is the environmental part of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Policy.
Disclaimer: Our Green Business Policy follows recommended environmental practices but has not been approved or certified by any government agency or environmental organization.
Green Policy Mission Statement
We will work to plan, manage and reduce our environmental impact on the land, air, water, vegetation, and wildlife, to improve our environmental performance over time, to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability, and to discover new activities that will help to achieve our green business goals. Our green business commitment extends to our customers, staff, suppliers, and our community.
Green Business Practices
To achieve our goals, we will follow these green business practices, as limited by our available time, knowledge, and resources:
1.0 Environmental Education and Compliance
We will comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
We will comply with FTC environmental marketing green guides PDF [new window] to avoid unfair or deceptive advertising.
Our Environmental Impact Officer (EIO) will review relevant federal EPA [new window], state CDPHE [new window], and local environmental laws and regulations.
Complete initial and continuing environmental education (EE) by reading, self-study, or attending training classes to learn best practices on how to reduce our environmental impact.
Seek and follow credible sources of useful and accurate green business information and news.
Write our Green Business Policy to minimize our carbon, water, and land footprint, review and update it as needed, and serve as the environmental compliance officer and green practices advocate.
Our Green Business Policy will be posted on our website for public viewing and transparency and to serve other small businesses as a sample Green Policy.
Our EIO will promote good environmental stewardship, train our staff members on our environmental policy, and empower them to participate, contribute, and improve our Green Policy.
Will communicate our environmental commitment, efforts, achievements, and special events to our customers, staff, website visitors, and our community.
2.0 Eco-friendly Calendar of Events
We will participate in observances by supporting or attending events online or in person, doing projects, taking or teaching classes, watching videos, promotion, reading or writing articles, or making donations.
March 3, World Wildlife Day [new window] wildlife appreciation and protection
April 22, Earth Day [new window] environmental protection
June 5, World Environment Day [new window] environmental protection
September, third Saturday, National CleanUp Day [new window] clean up litter, trash
October 14, International E-Waste Day [new window] recycling electronic waste
November 15, America Recycles Day [new window] recycling programs and events
2.1 Eco-friendly Causes and Organizations We Support
We donate time, money, skills, supplies, used equipment, or reusable resources to:
Nature: backyard bird feeder and water bowls, helping native Colorado birds and squirrels including house sparrows, finches, wrens, black-capped chickadees, blue jays, Northern flickers, Downy woodpeckers, Eurasian collared doves.
World Wide Fund For Nature® (formerly World Wildlife Fund®), working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and nature.
Environment: using green vendors that support environmental protection and sustainability practices.
local recycling centers.
Social: Goodwill, donations of used computer equipment to prevent e-waste, helping people achieve greater personal and economic independence through learning and work.
Habitat For Humanity, donations of used furniture, appliances, building materials, sold to raise funds to build homes for low-income families.
3.0 Energy Conservation
We will reduce our energy consumption when practical.
Use energy conservation methods including LED lighting, proper building insulation, weather-stripping and caulking for doors and windows, zone heating, no office air conditioner, temperature set-back thermostats, turning off unused lights and equipment, using light timers and auto power-saver mode PC settings, motion-sensor LED security lighting, and energy-efficient Energy-Star® appliances.
Choose a phone call, teleconference, videoconference, webinar, or online class when practical, rather than travel to in-person meetings.
Use mounted or portable solar panels as a green energy power source to recharge batteries used in our electronic devices including flashlights, remote controls, and emergency radios.
Colorado Springs Utilities is in the process of winding down local fossil fuel coal-fired power plants in a few years and replacing them with sustainable renewable energy from solar panels.
4.0 Fuel-Efficient Transportation
We drive a fuel-efficient gasoline vehicle with a small 4-cylinder engine for economical business and personal use.
Maintain the recommended tire pressure for optimum fuel efficiency and longer tire life.
Use an older model vehicle, saving energy and resources needed to manufacture a new replacement vehicle.
Work from a home-based office and have zero commuting miles to a work office.
Plan efficient driving routes to minimize mileage for vehicle trips, combining meetings, appointments, errands, and shopping on the same trip.
As a mobile notary service provider, it is not practical for us to use public transportation or a bicycle to travel to scheduled appointments with our customers.
We will prefer to use local, Colorado, or regional vendors and suppliers to reduce product delivery time, transportation costs, and fuel consumption.
5.0 Water Conservation
Our water use for drinking, food preparation, cleaning, hygiene, and irrigation is minimal.
We use low-flow showerheads and toilets to conserve water.
Do not let water faucets or hoses run when not in use.
Do outdoor watering of the lawn, flowers, trees, and shrubs in our landscape during dry weather.
Use bark or wood chip mulch around trees, shrubs, and plants to conserve moisture.
Water garden plants as needed for healthy growth.
Let rainfall wash our vehicle naturally and only use a car wash occasionally.
6.0 Resource Conservation: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
We will reduce our resource consumption when practical.
Not subscribe to newspapers, newsletters, or magazines printed on paper, but will use online information sources.
Opt out of junk mail by unsubscribing on websites.
Reduce product packaging waste by choosing biodegradable packaging over plastic or Styrofoam packaging.
We will reuse and repurpose resources when practical to conserve resources.
Choose reusable or refillable products rather than disposable, single-use items, when practical.
Use rechargeable batteries for electronic devices rather than disposable batteries.
We will use a compost pile or bin to recycle green waste (nitrogen): fruit and vegetable scraps, peels, weeds and flowers (without seeds), green leaves, fresh grass clippings, tree and shrub prunings, and brown waste (carbon): dead leaves, hay, dried bread, paper towels, crushed eggshells, tea bags, sawdust.
Set up marked recycling containers near our trash cans for easy drop-off of items.
Recycle laser toner cartridges, office paper, mixed paper, junk mail, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, plastic bags, glass bottles, aluminum, metal, motor oil, tires, CFLs, and yard waste.
We will sanitize data then sell or donate used computers, routers, printers, cables, cell phones, radios, TVs, receivers, recorders, players, cameras, calculators, electronic equipment, or recycle at a reputable recycler.
We will sell or donate used books, furniture, appliances, tools, sporting goods, toys, clothing.
6.1 Local Recycling Locations
We will utilize recycling opportunities provided by stores, businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, lodging, sporting events, festivals, parks, non-profits, and government agencies.
Use weekly recycling pickup service and community recycling as our primary recycling center.
Other recycling locations include Best Buy®, Staples®, Goodwill®, Habitat For Humanity® ReStore®, and stores with Terracycle® Zero Waste [new window] collection drop boxes.
Target® stores accept plastic #1, 2, plastic bags, aluminum, glass, ink and toner cartridges, books, cell phones, rechargeable batteries.
Pak Mail® stores accept paper, plastic #6, packing peanuts, Styrofoam®.
6.2 Plastic Resin Identification Codes (RIC)
We will primarily use recyclable plastics #1, 2, 4, 5, and avoid plastics #3, 6, 7 if recycling facilities are not available.
Rinse items before recycling to remove residue.
1 PET, PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate) single-use, disposable, water bottles, soda bottles, clamshell packaging, polyester, microfiber
2 HDPE (High-density polyethylene) jugs for milk, shampoo, detergent, bleach, gas, motor oil, food storage containers, plastic bags, bottle caps, furniture, pipes, plastic wood
3 PVC, V (Polyvinyl chloride) vinyl, water pipes, non-food packaging, medical gloves, siding, signs, wire insulation, furniture, shower curtains
4 LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) laminates, snap-on lids, squeezable bottles, plastic wrap, trays
5 PP (Polypropylene) plastic straws, yogurt, packaging, carpet, textiles, lab equipment, molded parts, filters
6 PS (Polystyrene) disposable eating utensils, razors, trays, packaging foam, packing peanuts, Styrofoam, egg cartons, drink cups, insulation, CD/DVD jewel cases
7 O (Other plastics, acrylic, nylon, polycarbonate, polylactic acid, PLA) bioplastics, multi-layer plastic, bottles, plastic lumber, headlight lenses, safety shields/glasses
7.0 Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Disposal
We will reduce our solid waste, scrap, and hazardous waste volume when practical.
Dispose of solid waste properly in a suitable trash container.
Not mix hazardous waste or medical waste with non-hazardous solid waste.
Dispose of hazardous waste, dead batteries, fluorescent lamps, smoke detectors, paint, solvents, household cleaners, aerosols, automotive chemicals, pesticides, and motor oil at the El Paso County hazardous waste facility [new window].
Shred unneeded confidential documents and dispose of the shredded paper according to our information security policy.
8.0 Chemical Management and Pollution Prevention
We will reduce our land, air, and water pollution when practical.
Not burn paper, cardboard, wood, coal, fuel oil, plastic, or trash.
Store and use chemicals safely, according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Store chemicals on a spill tray or tub to catch drips, leaks, spills, or corrosion.
Inspect chemical containers and storage areas periodically for signs of leaks.
We will reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals.
Currently use conventional disinfecting products listed by the EPA as effective against bacteria and coronavirus but will research alternative eco-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable disinfectants for future use.
We currently use conventional bleach and cleaning products but will research alternative eco-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners for future use.
Currently use conventional chemical products for automotive liquids, lawn fertilizer, weed, and pest control, but will research alternative eco-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable products for future use.
9.0 Electronic Equipment and Web Hosting Management
We will use refurbished notebook and tablet computers rather than desktop PCs for lower energy consumption and fewer resources used in manufacturing.
We use Hostinger shared web hosting services, since November 24, 2025, at a data center in Arizona or North Carolina, using renewable energy, known as green web hosting services.
We use Filen encrypted cloud storage in Germany for remote off-continent backup. Their servers use 100% renewable energy.
We will extend the useful life of electronic equipment through the purchase of used and refurbished equipment, doing preventive maintenance and repairs, and hardware updates such as adding a solid-state drive (SSD), memory, or Wi-Fi cards.
We also extend the useful life of older notebook computers that are not equipped with newer hardware features required to run Microsoft® Windows® 11 but are easily capable of running the eco-friendly Linux Mint operating system.
At the end of the use of electronic equipment or devices, we will first seek to sell, donate, or gift the item to extend its useful life, otherwise, we will recycle it at a reputable electronics recycler, including a certified E-Steward recycler.
We will erase and recycle old flash drives of 1 GB or larger size by donating them to non-profit RecycleUSB.com, to be loaded with educational software and distributed to school children around the world.
We will donate or sell used RAM to RAM vendors for resale or recycling.
We are a member of the Freecycle® Network and give away some used office items to other Freecycle members in our local community.
10.0 Document Printing and Paper Conservation
We prefer to use electronic documents, such as PDF files, when possible, rather than printed paper documents.
Avoid unnecessary printing.
Not use a fax machine.
We will print in draft mode when practical to reduce ink and laser toner consumption.
Print on both sides of the paper when acceptable.
Our printers will be set to double-sided printing or PDF file as the default setting.
We will use 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled, chlorine-free paper for printing, copying, marketing flyers, and invoicing.
11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Disposal
We will wear disposable, biodegradable, medical-grade face masks and disposable medical-grade nitrile gloves for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required by our infection control policy.
We have not found a local facility that recycles used PPE, so it will be disposed of as normal waste for now.
Look for reusable face masks that can be disinfected after each use, according to manufacturer instructions, to reduce PPE waste.
Look for disposable, biodegradable, medical-grade gloves that can be recycled or composted, to reduce PPE waste.
We will wear reusable, chemical-resistant rubber gloves when using cleaners, disinfectants, or other strong chemicals.
Wear safety glasses, safety goggles, or a face shield when recommended by the product or tool label, safety instructions, or our safety policy.
12.0 Food and Beverage Environmental Stewardship
We buy plant-based food and supplements as a beef alternative to reduce the impact on land, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Buy farm products grown by local and regional producers to reduce fuel consumption for transportation.
Buy Fair Trade Certified organic food, beverages, and other products, and USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO foods to support environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic justice for small business growers.
Eat organic cruciferous vegetables, with live enzymes, for nutritional and detoxifying benefits.
We will keep a set of washable reusable eating utensils in the office desk and vehicle to use rather than single-use disposable plastic utensils.
Prefer to eat with washable reusable dishware or recycled or biodegradable paper dishware rather than single-use disposable, non-biodegradable plastic dishware.
Avoid using single-use disposable plastic water bottles, cups, and straws to reduce plastic waste.
Carry drinking water, coffee, tea, and other beverages in a washable reusable cup or storage container.
13.0 Green Business Preferred Vendors
We will prefer to buy from eco-friendly green vendors and suppliers vs. non-green businesses, if prices are reasonable and competitive.
Look for vendors listed in green business directories.
Add free listings in green business directories.
Research the benefit of getting a green-certified seal of accreditation from a reputable organization.
We will use Fair Trade Certified® organic food vendors.
Use Panasonic® eneloop®, Duracell®, and EBL® rechargeable batteries.
We will use Pilot® B2P (Bottle-2-Pen) BeGreen refillable gel pens, made from 86% recycled plastic water bottles, for daily writing, and as a green business promotional item.
Use Printworks 100% Recycled Multipurpose Paper or a similar product for printing and copying.
We will use a Trodat® Original Printy 4.0 4913 self-inking notary stamp, 3.13″ × 1.63″ × 3.5″, water-based ink, clear positioning window, made from up to 65% post-consumer recycled plastic for eco-black, using 100% green electricity, climate-neutral, Austrian Ecolabel, unavoidable CO2 emissions from manufacturing compensated with investments in Gold Standard climate protection projects recommended by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund, or
Trodat PSI Green Line 2264 (Premium Self-Inker) pre-inked notary stamp, 2.88″ × 1.88″ × 2.75″, oil-based ink, clear positioning window, made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic, using Low Emissions Manufacturing (LEM) to reduce waste, air and water pollution, or
Shiny® EcoLine PET-844 self-Inking notary stamp, impression size 7/8″ x 2-3/8″, water-based ink, clear positioning window, made from 77% post-consumer recycled PET plastic water bottles, eco-friendly manufacturing using solar panels.
14.0 Green Policy Cost-Benefit Analysis
We will use cost-benefit analysis to give the highest priority to implementing green business practices that are simple and free or inexpensive to implement, or that increase income, or reduce business expenses or risk.
Consider green business practices that require more time or effort, or that increase business expenses or risk, on a case by case basis.
Green Business Policy Change History
2025-11-25 changed web hosting provider to Hostinger
2021-09-01 added RecycleUSB, Freecycle, and RAM recycling
2021-03-28 added mention of ESG Policy
2020-08-05 added Shiny EcoLine notary stamp
2020-07-23 added plastic Resin Identification Codes
2020-07-21 added eco-friendly calendar of events
2020-07-19 added preferred vendors
2020-07-18 initial version
ABC Legal Docs, LLC
/s/ Jerry Lucas, Environmental Impact Officer (EIO)
WAcc ☑
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