Navigation trail

• Waste minimisation and recycling officer: Andrew Barron

Waste minimisation and recycling officer: Andrew Barron

This Case Study belongs to Recycling officer.

Andrew is a waste minimisation and recycling officer for a local authority in Devon. He obtained a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from the University of Plymouth in 2004.

I chose a career in recycling and waste management because I wanted to make a positive contribution to the environment and also because it is such a diverse and interesting role. My job can be scientific or creative, and no two days are the same. I work with a wide range of people including the three people in my team, the wider environmental department, the general public, councillors and waste contractors.

I first became interested in the role of recycling officer whilst at university. I chose waste management modules on my course and my head of programme was very proactive in arranging for outside speakers, particularly those from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, to come in and talk to us about their careers. This initially sparked my interest in recycling. He also encouraged us to join the CIWM as student members. This membership has been extremely valuable to me. As a member, you get a magazine each month which has articles about all the relevant topical waste management issues and current legislation. Even now, as I am trying to get my chartered status, I find the magazine useful.

At university, I did some voluntary work for Plymouth City Council researching what was going on in Plymouth in relation to waste. I also worked on a voluntary basis at Exeter City Council for three months after graduation. Although my voluntary work was largely administration and assistance with questionnaires, the experience proved vital in securing my first full-time paid position as a project officer (recycling) shortly afterwards. As well as the practical experience I gained through this work experience, I also developed useful networks within the councils.

You can get into recycling through other disciplines, but environmental science is unique in that it gives you a broad understanding of issues such as climate change as well as the specialist knowledge required. I gained lots of useful skills on my degree programme such as objective evaluation of reports, presentation skills, project planning, management of data and statistical analysis.

As I have gained more experience and knowledge, I have been given more responsibility. Initially, you might only be working on a single project, but then you might be given several projects or end up leading a project such as a big communications campaign to encourage people to recycle more. This may eventually lead to being allocated budgetary and supervisory responsibility.

Eventually, I may move into waste management consultancy. This is a growth area. Opening niches include small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) who are having to find ways of reducing their waste or face expensive bills.

My advice to people wanting to get into recycling would be not to be afraid of getting involved. Join the CIWM, contact your local council, see if you can get some voluntary work and network.

Case Study sourced by Annette Millar of University of Plymouth, 18 December 2009.