Ian arrived when there wasn't much of a site yet — and helped build it. Fifteen years later, he's still here, still getting on with it, and wouldn't have it any other way.
Come in, check the machines over, then get on with the job in the bay. I load the line for the pickers upstairs so the recycling can be efficiently sorted. It sounds straightforward, but there’s a rhythm and a precision to it — if the line isn’t loaded right, the whole sorting process is affected. Getting it right every day, consistently, is what the job is about.
How much busier it’s got since I started. The volume of what comes through this site now compared to when I first arrived is remarkable. That’s a great sign of progress — but it also means the job has grown with it. I’ve had to grow with it too, learning different machines and different ways of working along the way.
I’d been made redundant from a job I’d worked at for twenty years, which was a big moment. But I had transferable skills — I’d operated loading shovels, diggers and tractors — and a former colleague had already joined NWR, so I knew it would be a good place. What I didn’t expect was to be putting up fences and concreting when I arrived. NWR had just moved to this site and there was a lot of work to do to get it ready. I was part of getting it off the ground, quite literally.
When there’s a new digger operator coming in, I train them on how to sort in the bays. Fifteen years of knowing how things work here — the machines, the rhythm of the job, the standards we hold ourselves to — that’s worth passing on. If someone can learn it faster because of what I’ve shown them, that’s a good thing for everyone.
I get on well with everyone — both A shift and B shift. There are dull days, and there are stressful ones, but we all have the same attitude: get on with the job. Everybody helps each other out. If something needs moving, it gets moved. If someone gets called away, we cover each other’s stations. That’s just how it works here — and it makes a real difference when things get busy or difficult.
It’s great that the business is so successful. A lot of people come and go, but it’s really nice to see people stay and build a career here. I’ve never left a job in my life and I wouldn’t now. If I could go back in time, I’d still choose to work here — and that tells you everything. It’s a good place.
When I arrived I was helping prepare the site itself — concreting, putting up fences. Now look at it. The scale of what this place processes, the technology, the number of people, the variety of what goes on here — it’s a completely different operation. Being someone who was here at the very beginning of this site, and watching it grow into what it is today, gives you a real sense of what’s been built. I’m proud to have been part of that from the start.
Put your head down — and if you like it, keep doing what you’re doing. Simple as that.
Celebrating 30 years of North West Recycling 30 Years of Building From What You Left Behind This year marks a proud milestone for North West Recycling as we celebrate 30 years of service to Cumbria — and we think that strapline says it all. Because that is exactly what we do: we build something valuable […]
And How We Can Help Prevent Tragedies Refuse not refuge! As temperatures drop and winter approaches, many people experiencing homelessness face increasingly harsh and dangerous conditions. In desperate attempts to stay warm, some rough sleepers seek shelter inside refuse containers such as bins and skips. While it may feel like temporary protection from the cold, […]
We’re proud to announce that North West Recycling (NWR) is now an official Club Partner and Waste Management Partner of Carlisle United Football Club for the upcoming season. Founded in 1995 as Brampton Skip Hire, we’ve grown over the past 30 years into the region’s largest privately owned waste management provider, serving Cumbria, South West […]
What are aggregate materials used for and what are their main benefits? Construction aggregates are often referred to as simply “aggregates,”. They are a group of materials that are used in construction to form the foundation of roads, buildings, and other structures. Indeed, there are several benefits to using construction aggregate materials in construction projects: […]
A simple guide to gasification and its benefits Gasification is a process that converts solid or liquid fuels into a gaseous fuel called “syngas”. This is done by oxidizing the fuel, creating a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and other volatile gases. The syngas produced can then be burned as a fuel in a gas […]
Hiring a skip is an excellent and convenient way of getting rid of waste in your home. During home and garden clean or clear outs, you will realize that you have different types of waste to dispose of. Before you embark on disposing of any waste, it is important that you understand what type of […]
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a diverse and intricate category of recyclable waste that poses unique challenges in the recycling process. This category of waste consists of various electronic devices, making it a challenging waste type to handle. Our primary goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for the waste we receive, […]
When it comes to waste and recycling, North West Recycling is the leading waste management provider across Cumbria and beyond. And for good reason too. Here are 10 reasons why you should choose us as your provider: 1. North West Recycling provides a reliable service with a reputation for quality and dependability. 2. We recover […]
Ever wondered whether you actually know the best way to recycle plastics? Here are some tips specifically for recycling rigid plastics in the UK: Recycle Plastics Remember that recycling is just one part of the solution to reducing plastic waste. Reducing your use of single-use plastics and choosing products with minimal packaging can also have […]
The truth is there is no right or wrong answer on how best to recycle paper, however we’ve written an easy guide blog post to help demystify the process. Here are some general tips for recycling paper: Recycle Paper By recycling paper properly, you can help conserve resources, reduce waste, and contribute to a more […]
Last week we announced plans to develop a gasification plant on our site near Rockcliffe, Carlisle. And now we are delighted to share a few more details with you. THE BACKGROUND Sadly, only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. Most is burnt for energy and the rest ends up as plastic waste in the environment. […]
There many great waste management careers available to explore within the waste sector. Some of the most common roles include: Environmental Waste Manager. These professionals are responsible for managing waste collection and disposal operations. They focus on ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting sustainable waste management practices. Recycling Operatives. These professionals are responsible for the […]
The best way to recycle plastic film may vary depending on the specific type of plastic it is made of and the recycling capabilities in your local area. However, here are some general tips that may be helpful: Furthermore, remember that reducing plastic consumption and choosing sustainable alternatives whenever possible is also an important part […]
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