Celebrating Green Crew Heroes! Suzie Burton, Operations Manager at Smuggler
Green The Bid Crew Heroes is a series that highlights individuals who bring sustainable practices to any area of the production process, and seek to inspire others to do the same. Production can’t happen without all crew-members (both on set and off), and the same is true of their support of Green The Bid.
Here Green The Bid’s Gabi Kay talks to Suzie Burton, Operations Manager at Smuggler LA.
G.K. Where did you grow up and how did it inform how you do your job today?
S.B. I grew up in the Town of Orange in Orange County. Being a southern californian native, the entertainment industry was always a substantial presence, so it feels I've had my roots here forever. My father is a workaholic and my mother was an artist, and growing up with those countering traits was a perfect recipe for my own success in this industry.
G.K. What are some things you do as a production team member to be more sustainable, what things would you love more production companies and crews to adopt?
S.B. Here at SMUGGLER we're proud to be a leader in sustainability. I feel like we reuse everything from boxes to hard drives. We have a very strong recycling program in our office and on our sets; we frequently host e-waste drives, including battery recycling. We compost obsessively, and have eliminated single use plasticware in lieu of some glassware and two trusty eco-friendly dishwashers. We're also proud to have halted water bottles and seltzer cans by installing a multi-function water dispenser. With PPE creating another sustainability pinch, we've begun to package all that in unbleached paper bags instead of plastic ziplocks. We've found success by moving to digital PO's and digital production wraps and would love to see more companies do the same. We know it's scary but it's actually more efficient while being sustainable too.
G.K. What are the things you have changed in your own life to be more environmentally conscious?
S.B. I've recycled for years and I've become a composting guru recently, taking it from the office, from friends, and even my co-workers' families. I often get so much I have to freeze it before I can absorb it into my compost patch at home. I always bring my e-waste in and encourage my coworkers to as well. I avoid the single-use masks and have my arsenal of reusable ones.
G.K. Who most influences you and inspires you when it comes to being socially and environmentally responsible in your work life and your personal life?
S.B. This is definitely my sister. She has a bigger green thumb than I do and schools me every time she visits. She’s been a huge resource for me. I think about family when I think about sustainability, I want my nephew to grow up on a planet that's healthier and cleaner than the one we have now.
G.K. If you could do any other job on set - what would it be and why?
S.B. For better or for worse, I'd probably be an AD. The energy and straightforward nature of effective ADs matches my personality. Being able to work under pressure and multitask is a strong suit of mine.
----- Are you a crew hero or do you know one? We want to hear from you!
