You are absolutely right that systems are important for workflow. I can't say that I know the recyclable business but I do know the Pharmacy business and we have rigid checklists to make sure that everything is done correctly each time, every time.

Most of the time I will agree that a system is important but I've also worked in enough corporate jobs to know that good employees know not only the system but also the reason for each step in the process. Sometimes rigidly applying a system can just be silly.

An example is how the College of Pharmacists mandates what I must tell a patient with every prescription. They have a list of information I must convey such as what the medication is, what it is for, how to store the medication side effects, and what to do with missed doses. Overall it is a good system to make sure people know what they are getting and how to use it.

However, the College of Pharmacists does random checks on pharmacists to verify they are following the rules. They watched me deal with 5 patients and for four of the patients I followed the requirements. However, one of the patients was a special case. He came to the pharmacy every single day to take a dose of long acting morphine to control withdrawl cravings from long term drug use. I saw him every day for months and he always got the same two capsules.

I didn't bother telling him where to store his medication (he was taking it as soon as he left the pharmacy). I didn't tell him what to do if he missed a dose. Seriously...he is taking it in 5 minutes and its only one dose.

Agree that a system is vitally important but a little common sense can be useful sometimes also :)