Your Community News

One of our customers recently told us that he likes to come into Community Pharmacy just to overhear our conversations. Oh my … sometimes we do need to lower our voices! But at other times, we would like you to join in the conversation. That’s because ever since the Pharmacy opened its doors as WSA in 1972, we have been talking about and attempting to run a green business.

As our mission statement says, we strive to maintain a humane workplace and minimize our impact on the environment. Co-op America (www.pharmacyplus.org) defines a Green Business as one that “operates in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. These businesses adopt principles, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities, and the environment.” Community Pharmacy has always exemplified these characteristics.

Pharmacist and store founder Jane Greischar recalls when Pharmacy employees began encouraging people to buy in bulk back in the ‘70s. Dr. Bronner (of liquid soap fame) had a grandson at the UW who acted as a representative for the company. He helped us sell gallons of Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap to keep all the hippies clean! Another early initiative was the removal of all spray deodorants from our shelves when we learned that the CFC propellant contributed to ozone depletion.

In a similar vein, just a few months ago the topic of conversation among our staff turned to the environmental impact of bottled water sales. Some quick Google research reveals a mind-boggling use of water and petroleum resources in exchange for a small convenience of questionable benefit.