The London Drugs Distribution Services Center (DSC) is a building big enough to build jet planes in, loaded with all of the merchandise destined for stores throughout the chain. Merchandise Handler and Trainer Jenny Sine confidently leads me through this cavernous world of darting forklifts, towering racks and a million cardboard boxes, to tell a different side of the What’s the Green Deal story.
“I’ve been working here over 10 years,” she tells me, “Things have changed hugely in that time.”
We pass work stations where handlers pick stock orders. Jenny explains that each station has a series of colour-coded containers for recycling common packing materials. “There’s a place for styrofoam, wrap, and even the plastic strapping. The same coloured containers are all through the DSC so people know where to put things.”
“Making recycling easy for people is the key,” she continues, “It has to be almost right where they trip over it.” She should know. Part of Jenny’s role is to send out ‘Green Flash’ emails to the DSC team, keeping the Green Deal front and centre for them on a regular basis.
“I keep those really short and sweet. Just a simple point every time. It’s supposed to be a ‘flash’, after all.”
The recycling doesn’t end in the warehouse itself. Jenny was instrumental in setting up organics collection for composting in the DSC lunchroom, and a prominent posting area for notes and ideas on recycling and sustainability.
When asked about the results, Jenny says there has been a significant reduction in garbage pickups. “It feels good to know the hard work is making an impact.” she says.
So what is on the green horizon for the DSC?
“I would love to have an annual fun event, where we get out of the DSC and volunteer to clean up an area, or adopt a street or something. It would be fun to get everybody competing to see who can pick up the most trash.”
Jenny admits to taking a little ribbing over her role as the ‘DSC Queen of Green’. “I once got asked if we were going to have to wear green spandex outfits.”
Given Jenny’s Green Deal track record so far, the bright orange DSC safety vest seems to be working just fine.
