In this season of giving, the Enviro team found a meaningful way to contribute. As the air cooled and the leaves turned brown, a call from Mrs. Laura Osei, headmistress of The Eden School, reached our customer service line by mistake. The Eden School is an independent faith school built on a historic site. She had called to enquire about a skip hire, but the call was meant for someone else. Although the call was accidental, the requirement was urgent.
Our customer representative, Chloe, immediately dove into the details of a waste pickup service — explaining potential additional costs of handling items with Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and the special requirements for electronic waste. They had three gardens full of waste and were looking to create safe play space for their students. Due to the volume of waste accumulated, our CEO himself; conducted an on-site waste audit. Once we had a sufficient amount of information, our team put together a quote. However, when it became clear that the school couldn’t afford the service, we saw an opportunity to make a difference.
Looking at the sheer amount of space that was rendered waste, the team sat down and asked amongst ourselves if all of us would be willing to put in our time and energy to help the school instead. Everyone had the same answer to this question. Our operations team sprang into action, arranging everything from skip hire to secure data wiping for electronic waste.
Fortunately, our partners shared the same spirit and generously offered discounts on their services. So, we set out on one bright sunny day in the middle of London winters, few by car, and few by train; everyone determined to lend a hand. However, half the crew was late due to London’s infamous traffic delays. Despite a rushed start, we worked tirelessly, carefully planning, sorting, dismantling larger items and working as a team.
We filled up four skip loads and one truck with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) waste. At the end of a long day, our exhaustion was met with warmth. The staff showed their gratitude with flowers and a hearty lunch prepared by the staff. The children’s handmade thank-you card was the most touching gesture of all. Despite our bodies feeling tired, our hearts were full; knowing the cleared space would soon be filled with children’s laughter and play.
However, we weren’t done here. With the help of Give it Forward, the team arranged for second-hand printers and laptops to support the school’s educational needs — a small step to help the children and staff continue their learning journey.
The Eden School project reminded us that the effort behind waste management isn’t just logistical — it’s about creating opportunities, fostering connections, and making a positive impact where it’s needed most.
