COLUMBUS, Ohio -- At the end of July, the city of Columbus will launch a new program to encourage all businesses to go green -- and some firms are already doing it.

The law firm of Bricker and Eckler remodeled the old post office across from the statehouse in the mid-80s and has been on the leading edge of the green movement ever since.

"It saved us money. It's saved us efficiency. It has a lot of benefits in addition to being green," said Maria Armstrong, of Bricker and Eckler.

Armstrong said partners and clients demanded the green practices.

There are energy-efficient lights throughout the building and every desk has its own recycle bin.

Paper is a big commodity for a law firm, but now, the firm is doing almost everything electronically and workers only print when it's absolutely necessary.

"I think we have saved the equivalent of 750 trees in recycling," Armstrong said.

To become an official Green Spot, a business makes a commitment to do a lit of things within a year. It was be as simple as encouraging employees to bike to work, recycling toner cartridges, donating old furniture or installing a programmable thermostat.

"I've had a lot of people tell me they saw something on the list and they never thought about doing it that way. But it isn't hard and they can start doing it that way. It's the little things," said Susan Ashbook, a Columbus Environmental Steward.

Businesses that accomplish the goals will get a Green Spot logo for display.

To register, click here.

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