The waste and recycling industry is among some of the traditionally male-dominated business sectors. And it might seem at first sight that very few women have entered the recycling industry. But a deeper look into the business will reveal that more and more women who are committed to environmental sustainability choose to pursue careers in this industry, with many of them making great strides in the business and positively contributing to the growth of the resource sector. In this series, Swaliha Shanavas speaks to some of the women excelling in the industry as they present diverse perspectives, talking about their background, how they entered the sector, their role and experience, challenges and other significant aspects.

BEATRIZ LANDA

Vice President, Metal Procurement & Recycling North America, Novelis 

How did your interest in recycling start?

As far back as I can remember, I have always been interested in the conservation of our planet. I was fortunate enough to grow up in different places, Spain, Canada, France, Germany, etc. I remember comparing both the level of waste within each society as well as the maturity of the recycling process. Germany showed me a lot of the best in class methods of recycling but above all the Germans truly cared. Recycling was part of their culture and I admired that. As I was looking at potential career opportunities, Novelis the largest recycler of aluminum in the world was a clear favorite. I’ve been working for Novelis for 10 years now and I still jump out of bed excited about the impact we can have in creating a more sustainable world together.

What do you enjoy most about working in this sector?

 My favorite thing about this sector is that it is ever changing. In addition to a very dynamic environment procuring scrap and other metal inputs, there is an ever-growing interest across the globe in sustainability. On the environmental side of the sustainability equation (people, planet and profit), the pace of change is exponential as businesses try to address our customer’s concerns to become better corporate citizens. The speed at which technology for recycling or for the reduction of carbon emissions across our manufacturing process has been increasing every year and will continue to do so as expectations continue to grow.

What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

The 3 qualities I would point out that have contributed to my success in the recycling sector have been strategic thinking, agility and perseverance. The recycling world is a good mix of tactical activities and long-term projects to keep pace with the change. At Novelis we have created new recycling roles focused on process excellence, new technologies and data analytics. These skillsets will allow us to continually improve in a strategic way. If you look at the past year with the pandemic, we have swayed between feast and famine. There have been moments when it was extremely difficult to procure any scrap given the lockdowns. Yet with the semi chip shortage in the auto industry, the market was very well supplied. Being able to stop and pivot to another direction and adapt to very uncertain circumstances is key. Lastly, the recycling industry in a sense is quite new. We are constantly exploring new ideas with suppliers, tollers and customers. These usually take a while to come to fruition and sticking to it pays its dividends.

What is the most challenging aspect of working in the recycling sector? And are there any challenges specific to women?

The most challenging aspect is this is a very small group of players in the US. On one hand, it is good because you very quickly know everybody, but on the other hand, nothing is a secret. As a woman, it takes time to fit in and the environment and events are not always conducive for women to fit in. As we grow the number of women in this industry, I am convinced we will change the culture and the environment. We already have very strong male allies.

What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?

Follow your passion, tie on the heavy toe steeled boots and walk with confidence and always be true to yourself (meaning don’t fit in, stand out and be comfortable doing so). I am confident women will bring a different perspective and culture to the recycling industry which will help with transparency and trust.

CECILIE NEDERGAARD NIELSEN

Administrative & HR Manager, Modern American Recycling Services Europe

How did your interest in waste recycling start?

My interest really started when I was employed by M.A.R.S. Europe. I was employed in October 2019 and had received my master’s degree in Business Administration and Economics in 2018. I always had a personal interest in recycling, so when a huge recycling company was being established in my hometown I reached out to the director.

What do you enjoy most about working in this sector?

I really enjoy working with and exploring new solutions for more environmentally friendly recycling possibilities. Also, in my current role I am working a lot with delivering bids for possible projects, and the period where you work intensely with a potential client to agree on the recycling method is also extremely interesting – especially when we end up with the contract. One of the greatest moments for me personally, was obtaining ISO certificates in Quality, Environment, and Occupational Health & Safety.

What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

When I joined M.A.R.S. Europe, I had recently graduated from the university. When you work in a business where you get challenged every day and you have a wide range of tasks, I think that it is very important that you keep an open mind, are very adaptable, and understand the underlying processes of business development. I came with a suitcase full of theoretical knowledge and was eager to use this in real life. This, combined with a high motivation to perform and a dedicated manager, has contributed greatly to my success at the company.

What is the most challenging aspect of working in the recycling sector? And are there any challenges specific to women?

Since we are located in Denmark in Europe, there are a lot of environmental rules and regulations that we have to oblige to comply with. Our clients come from many different places in the world, and it can be a challenge to combine their national laws with ours. This practical part of ship recycling is dominated by men, it is especially functions of crane operators, welders, scaffolders, and riggers that are working at the yards. I think it can be a challenge for women to work in such a male-dominated environment. But my experience is that the administrative part of ship recycling is more divided between men and women – if not, it definitely should be.

What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?

The recycling industry is not all that different from other industries. There are numerous functions in this industry, so depending on your expertise I would say go for it! It is an exciting industry, where you really have a chance to make your mark. It is an old industry, but continuously developing with new methods for recycling.

MARIAM ANSARI

Director of Plastics Recycling, Averda

How did your interest in waste recycling start?

 I never set out with the intention of working in waste; it was a pure stroke of luck. I joined Averda as part of what was called the “Averda Academy” which is essentially our graduate trainee programme. It offered an exciting and extensive curriculum – we learnt everything from core business skills like financial analysis, people management, critical thinking, negotiations etc. to the nitty-gritty of the waste management industry. The more I learnt, the more interesting I found it, and the more I loved it.

What do you enjoy most about working in this sector? Is there any favourite project you would like to share?

 I love the breadth of the sector. Everyone under the sun is involved with waste in one way or the other. It is such a complex and multifaceted sector with so many different stakeholders involved – small businesses, large corporates, manufacturers, retailers, social media influencers, individual end-users, and, of course, the physical and regulatory infrastructure underpinning it all.

As for my favourite projects, I’d say my current project, establishing Averda’s plastics recycling division, is my biggest and most exciting to date. Recycling in the GCC is in a nascent phase right now; there are efforts being made in this space, but it’s all quite sporadic. We have a great opportunity in terms of developing the recycling infrastructure and strengthening the levers required to drive recycling at scale in the region. I have unwavering support from my senior management and colleagues, so I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to make a real difference.

What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

Probably, my openness to trying new things – I’ve always been quite flexible and prepared to challenge myself with a new area or role. I have held 6 different roles in my nearly 11-year career with Averda, gaining experience across the whole business – tendering, business development, strategy, business planning, finance, operations, and senior leadership. Also, I’ve never shied away from speaking up, even when I am the only woman in the room. They listen to you more, when you’re the only one.

What is the most challenging aspect of working in the recycling sector? And are there any challenges specific to women?      

Personally, I think the most challenging aspect of recycling is that while there is a lot of positive noise, there is still much that needs to change, from both an industry mindset and regulatory perspective, in order to develop a viable commercial recycling ecosystem in the region.

There are no gender specific challenges surrounding the sector as such, but I do recall one of the first industry meetings I attended, there were 40 people sitting around the table, and I was the only woman. Now when I attend similar forums, it is very encouraging to see more women involved in the sector. In tandem, we are witnessing an increasing number of women at pertinent governmental institutions and large corporates driving aggressive sustainability commitments. This is probably because women are more receptive to environmental sustainability, and therefore more willing to invest in reshaping the industry and forging a more circular economy.

What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?   

I would advise young women to not be put off by the non-glamourous nature of the industry. It’s a dynamic and exciting industry with the opportunity to make a real difference in our world. Take a seat at the table and don’t be afraid to speak up.

NATALLIA ZHOLUD

Senior Trader, Head of Business Development TRM Group; BIR Nonferrous Board Member

How did your interest in recycling start?

By chance really - I found an internship position at TRM when I was finishing college, at that time I had zero understanding about the metal world and metal recycling. I started in the sales department for semifinished copper products - and as the company evolved from being a trader into building our own secondary production facilities, so did my interest in the recycling business.

What do you enjoy most about working in this sector?

 Working in the recycling sector is anything but a routine - it’s a never ending learning curve. There are always new challenges coming up your way; therefore, you always have something on the horizon to look up to, to learn, to grow. And our industry is very rich in that it has many bright, talented people who are a true pleasure to be doing business with and to be learning from. That’s the main reason why joining the BIR has been such a great experience for me - becoming part of the community of recyclers and over time being honoured to represent the Eastern European market to the Non Ferrous Board would definitely be a ‘pinch me’ moment for a 25 year old like me entering my first convention.

What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

 I remain cold blooded in stressful situations, very responsible. I am not afraid to make decisions and bear the consequences; a fast thinker and easily switch between tasks and languages I use in a day (I speak 5); and a good communicator - at the end of the day any business is all about people.

 What is the most challenging aspect of working in the recycling sector? And are there any challenges specific to women?

 The diversity of the job and the vulnerability of the markets is the friend and foe of this job. As motivating as it is, it’s also the main source of stress and does get overwhelming sometimes. From my experience the entrance barrier for women is more difficult - the most common question I heard (and sometimes still hear) coming to meetings is ‘Are you alone?’ But fair to say that most people are very professional and understand that if you stand where you stand, your company has put trust in you, and did so for a reason.

What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?

 Give this job some time; I am always so sorry for young female interns within our company who drop out within the first months because the job is overwhelming at the start. As a fellow recycler told me a few years ago, ‘If you survive your first year in the industry you will never leave’. This is very true, once you’re in you’re in; you might be switching companies, commodities, but most likely will stick with the industry.

ROBIN K. WIENER

President, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries

How did your interest in recycling start?

My interest in recycling did not start until I started working for ISRI in 1989. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not know much at all about recycling before then, but joining ISRI opened my eyes to the significant environmental, social and economic benefits of recycling – and the incredibly hard working and dedicated people in the recycling industry who make it possible.

 What do you enjoy most about working in this sector? Is there any favourite project you would like to share?

The people – both on staff and in the membership – are the best part of the job. I feel very lucky that I get to meet and work with recyclers from around the country – and the world – and, while doing so, am always discovering interesting and new things. The industry is one big family that truly cares about each other and the work that they do every day. I will never forget a conversation with an ISRI member soon after I started working for ISRI. We were talking about the industry and its roots in family owned businesses. She told me that the association itself was a family to her. She went on to say that if you were away from home and your car broke down, anywhere in the country, all you had to do was pick up the ISRI Membership Directory and call a local member, who would then make sure that your car was fixed and you had a place to sleep that night. To me, that story still sums up for the generosity and warmth of all the people that make up the recycling industry.

My favorite “project” at ISRI is our youth outreach and awareness initiative, which started almost a decade ago when we partner with Jason Learning (www.jason. org) to develop a recycling curriculum for K-12 students that is available free online for primary and secondary schools, but can also be paired with teacher training and a broader STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum. I can’t think about a better way to inspire children to consider a career in recycling and help tomorrow’s policy makers, journalists, engineers, teachers, and parents to better understand what recycling is all about.

What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

Curiosity, and always being willing to listen to what the members want and need to help grow their businesses.

What is the most challenging aspect of working in this sector? Are there any challenges specific to women?

One of the most challenging aspects of working in this sector is the cyclical nature of the commodity markets, and therefore the business. One has to understand and plan for these ups and downs so as to ensure continued growth and success. While the recycling industry remains a male-dominated industry, I do see more and more women coming up in the ranks, which is wonderful to see. I am sure there are pockets of the industry where challenges still exist for women, but there is a growing recognition that at a time when industry, and manufacturing in general, is facing tightness in the labour market, we need to tap every available qualified resource. Women are a huge, important resource for the industry and for ISRI as they bring unique perspectives and interests, which benefits everyone.

What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?

If there is any lesson I have learned over the years, it is the importance of working hard and not being shy when you have something to say or offer. We also need to encourage other women to do the same through mentoring and just setting a good example. My personal hope is that by the time my two intelligent and strong minded daughters enter the workforce, they will not even be asked what it feels like to be a woman in whatever job they have chosen. What job they choose isn’t as important as knowing that they can choose it and, if they work hard enough, no one will stand in their way.

SANDY BLALOCK

Executive Director, Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA)

How did your interest in recycling start?

My family was in the business. My husband and father-in-law started our family automotive recycling business in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I spent a lot of time there while we were building the business. In 1993 I joined the business full time and began my career in auto recycling. I love the diverse market and just seeing the changes in automobiles that enabled us to put more and more products back out into the repair market.

What do you enjoy most about working in this sector? Is there any favorite project/experience you would like to share?

I enjoyed most the personal interactions with our customers who taught us the importance of quality control and making sure that our products were install ready when they arrived at the repair facility. I could not have succeeded in auto recycling without my state and national associations. I learned everything I needed to know from being involved with ARA in particular, especially as we decided to become an ARA Certified Automotive Recycler (CAR). Going through that process allowed us to dial in our processes and help the overall day to day function at a more productive level. We also learned the importance of environmental protocols to protect.

 What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

 I am a stubborn and competitive person and think that helped me in my quest to not be the biggest but the absolute BEST automotive recycler in my state. I think that people have to want more for themselves and others they work with to strive for a higher level, whether in our industry or their personal lives. I might have fallen down a few times, but I got up every time and continued to grow and move forward.

What is the most challenging aspect of working in the recycling sector? And are there any challenges specific to women?

It is still a male dominated industry not just auto recycling but the entire automotive repair industry. It took a while for our male customers to trust me and know that I knew what I was doing. I worked harder and studied more to put myself in that position. Women are beginning to make their mark and we are seeing more enter the industry every year. Many women in auto recycling are second, third and fourth generation with a deep value system ingrained in auto recycling from their families. I really do not believe there is anything in our industry women could not do. Early in my career there were few women working in the industry and not many women were managing auto recycling facilities when I first started, that is why it was so exciting to go to ARA Conventions and other industry events and see that I was not alone.

 What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?

Reach out to ARA and/or your state auto recycling association. We have many resources available and even have a group, Ladies of the Automotive Recycling Association LARA that was formed many years ago to bring together women working in our industry to share resources and information. We meet annually at the ARA convention and will soon begin monthly Zoom calls to have open discussions and sharing our experiences.

SUSIE BURRAGE

Managing Director, Recycled Products Ltd; President, British Metals Recycling Association; President, European Metal Trade and Recycling Branch of EuRIC

How did your interest in recycling start? 

I am the fourth generation of my family to own a metal recycling business, so you could say I was born with recycling already in my DNA. When I was at secondary school, my friends and I use to collect discarded aluminium drinks cans and sell them to my father for some extra spending money. Undeniably this sparked my interest in the recycling sector, especially its financial benefits!

What do you enjoy most about working in this sector?

The variety – no two days are ever the same – and the people. I am very much a people person, so I enjoy speaking with the diverse range of people engaged in our sector. I often spend a few hours operating the weighbridge at my metal recycling facility and enjoy having exchanges with our small suppliers, the grassroots of our industry. In my role as BMRA President, I have been extremely fortunate to have been invited to meetings in the UK Parliament, the United Nations in Vienna and to many international recycling conventions and this has given me the opportunity to mix with the international stalwarts of our industry, many of whom I now count as friends. On a personal level, nothing beats the buzz you get when you play the metal market and win!

 Is there any favourite experience you would like to share?

Being the first woman to be elected to the Board of the British Metals Recycling Association and subsequently being elected President of the BMRA in 2016 by my peers. A position I am immensely proud to still hold today. There have been many highlights during my presidency, but I have particularly enjoyed being part of the working group that has, to date, developed two industry specific metal recycling apprenticeships, professionalising our industry, and ensuring our vast knowledge and experience is transferred to the up-andcoming generations.

What qualities do you think have contributed to your success?

I am a positive person and I like to think I am approachable and friendly. I am hard working and enjoy supporting others with their endeavours and hearing other people’s opinions - there is always an opportunity to learn something new. Within my own business, I would describe myself as a cautious risk taker. I like to keep a keen eye on the finances, keep my employees happy, listen to them, and if possible, implement their suggestions for improvement. I am blessed with a loyal staff team.

What is the most challenging aspect of working in the recycling sector? And are there any challenges specific to women?

The most challenging aspect of working within the recycling sector is ensuring compliance with the everexpanding list of regulations. We are currently amid a tsunami of proposed legislative changes as the world rushes to embrace environmental reforms. Recycling is an essential ingredient of the circular economy, but that is often overlooked by politicians. People will always consume to some extent so ensuring recyclability of products and the inclusion of raw materials from recycling in new products is vital. Yes, it can be a challenge being a woman in a predominately male industry but only if you let it. I have found accepting I am different, rather than relentlessly trying to prove I am, as good as, or better, than my male colleagues, liberating. Thankfully, I have always been treated with respect by colleagues and associates, but you have to earn their respect with hard work, dedication and commitment.

What is your advice for women that would like to start their journey in the recycling industry?

Go for it! There is sure to be some aspect of the business you will love. There are many facets of the recycling industry to explore. The success of any business is determined by its financial stability so knowledge or at least an understanding of accounting, I consider a must.