Here at Recology we are incredibly thankful for the support we’ve received recently for our essential workforce, and we look forward to celebrating Waste & Recycling Workers Week with you June 14-20! To celebrate and highlight some of our amazing employee owners, we asked some of our drivers and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) workers to share what they enjoy about their jobs, what they do in their free time, and what they’ve learned about recycling since joining Recology. Check out their responses below.
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Ed Pelzer, Commercial Driver in Seattle
Q: What is the best part of your job?
Serving people and communities who need it and appreciate it
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
There is a great need for it and it makes a difference.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
To sit on the lake with my fishing pole
Q: What is your favorite food?
A steak dinner
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Niwat Somjit, Sorter at the Seattle MRF
Q: What is the best part of your job?
Learning about recycling in Seattle after coming from the industry in Thailand
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Running
Q: What is your favorite food?
Salmon
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Raul Campos, Driver in Burien
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- Being able to do something that I enjoy doing and having a great job that allows me to provide for my family
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
- I’ve learned that recycling take a lot of work and long hours.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family.
Q: What is your favorite food?
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Steve Cross, Sort Line Lead at the Seattle MRF
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- Just coming in & seeing everyone
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
What to recycle and what not, and how to get along with people
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Work out in the yard and play some pool every once in a while
Q: What is your favorite food?
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Alex Yanez, Driver on Mercer Island
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- The interaction with customers
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
- Recology’s commitment to recycle instead of landfill
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- Spend time with my family
Q: What is your favorite food?
Vegetarian Indian food
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Madjou Diallo, Sorter at the Seattle MRF
Q: What is the best part of your job?
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
How to recycle! I didn’t know anything before working here.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Exercise, go for a walk. Spending time with my family is #1.
Q: What is your favorite food?
Chicken & rice
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Nick Erdahl, Driver in Shoreline
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- Being outside and seeing different parts of the city
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
- Styrofoam never decomposes
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Q: What is your favorite food?
Steak
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Greg Jones, Sorter at the Seattle MRF
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- The fresh air and working outside
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
- That different kinds of plastic have more or less value
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Q: What is your favorite food?
Cheese and burgers
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Alex Garcia, Driver in Bothell
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- I like every part of my job and am happy working every day and working at Recology.
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
I learned to keep recycling for the next generation; for my kids and all kids.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- Spending time with my family, playing games and watching movies
Q: What is your favorite food?
- Mexican food, Thai food, Italian food
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Tony Collier, Sorter at the Seattle MRF
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- All the items I get to see
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- Hiking, mountain biking, and spending time with my daughter
Q: What is your favorite food?
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Cesar Penaloza, Driver in Seattle
Q: What is the best part of your job?
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Spend time with my family
Q: What is your favorite food?
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Chi Ho, Sorter at the Seattle MRF
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- The MRF is close to home and I work four days a week so I can spend time with my family.
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
- There are different kinds of containers and cardboard.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
To spend time with my friends and family, and exercise
Q: What is your favorite food?
- Pho, fried rice, and chow mein
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Gilberto Huerta, Driver in Issaquah
Q: What is the best part of your job?
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
To recycle better in my own house and teach my neighbors
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- Working around my house and going camping
Q: What is your favorite food?
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Sam Peterson, Driver in Des Moines
Q: What is the best part of your job?
- I’ve got an assigned route. I know my customers. My surroundings are changing on a daily basis. I’m not stuck inside an office all day. I like to think that I’m doing my part in helping the world/environment be a better place.
Q: What is something you learned about recycling since you started working at Recology?
- Recology is always trying to find new items or ways to reduce waste.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- When I’m not at work you can usually find me doing some DIY projects around the house or outdoors going on a hike or playing in the woods.
Q: What is your favorite food?
I don’t have a particular favorite food, but I do like pineapple on my pizza.
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During the week, we encourage you to say a hearty “thank you” to your driver or other Recology staff while maintaining the advised 6 feet of social distance. These dedicated individuals show up every day to keep our communities safe and clean.