Everyday Sustainability in Action – A Practical Approach to SDG 12 

 By Gregory A. Buxton and Emma Chiu

At Winkler Partners in Taipei, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s part of how we do business every day. As part of our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), we’ve woven thoughtful practices into our daily operations. We’re happy to share what’s worked for us, in the hope that other Interlaw firms can find inspiration and practical takeaways to implement in their own offices.   

Bento Lunches with a Sustainable Twist    

Our lunch program with Jiami, a local restaurant focused on seasonal and ethically sourced food, is one of our team’s favorite perks. Instead of single-use packaging, each employee brings their own reusable container. Jiami delivers the lunches straight to our office, cutting down on packaging and transportation emissions.    

We also encourage our team to visit Jiami in person. This strengthens their connection to local food systems and makes sustainability a lived, tangible value. For other firms: consider partnering with local restaurants that prioritize seasonal produce and reduced packaging—it’s simple, and the impact adds up quickly.    

From Compost to Rooftop Garden    

Our office composting program closes the loop between food and soil. Food scraps from the office are composted and used to fertilize our rooftop garden—where employees grow pesticide-free herbs and vegetables.    

The garden is overseen by our Green Officer, who also tracks solar energy generation from our rooftop solar panels. This dual role links responsible consumption with renewable energy generation, making sustainability a visible, measurable part of life at the firm. If your building has a rooftop, even a small planter box or herb garden can get employees engaged and thinking about sustainability beyond their desks.    

Weekly Farm-to-Office Produce    

Each week, we order organic vegetables in bulk from Mr. Hui, a local farmer. Employees can purchase fresh, pesticide-free produce at cost. This supports local agriculture, reduces our reliance on industrial food systems, and makes sustainable living just a little more convenient. Interested in trying something similar? Reach out to local organic farms—many are happy to set up regular deliveries, especially if multiple employees participate.   

Procurement with Purpose    

We apply the same mindset to the products we buy. Our cleaning supplies come from Cha Tzu Tang, a Taiwanese B Corp known for safe, eco-friendly ingredients. We also serve BetterMilk, a locally produced dairy brand founded by a veterinarian and committed to high animal welfare standards.    

By prioritizing B Corp suppliers and ethical producers, we reinforce sustainability through every procurement decision. This is a simple way to embed values into vendor relationships and budgets.    

Let’s Learn From Each Other   

Sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all, but we’ve learned that small, consistent efforts make a big difference. We’d love to hear what other Interlaw firms are doing to support SDG 12—and we’re always happy to share more about what’s worked for us.    

Please feel free to reach out to Greg Buxton ([email protected]) at Winkler Partners for ideas, collaboration, or just a friendly exchange of tips.    

Together, we can make responsible consumption and production a practical reality in the legal industry.