Behind every strong team is someone making sure the culture that built it doesn't get left behind as the business grows. At North West Recycling, that's Paul.
My role is to make sure that as a business we follow our policies and procedures, that people come to work motivated and happy in their roles, and that we’re constantly developing our workforce. A typical day involves catching up with senior managers and department leaders, conducting meetings with staff at all levels, and keeping our policies up to date with employment law. I also run hearings and interviews. No two days are the same — but the constant is people.
HR has a reputation for being negative — the department you hear from when something’s gone wrong. But the majority of what I do is genuinely positive. Employee of the Month is a good example. It’s a simple thing, but it matters. Recognising people, celebrating them — that’s HR too, and that’s the part I care most about.
I wanted to work for a family-run business with genuine Cumbrian heritage and a history of giving back to the community. The £1 skip campaign for Youth Zone, the work done with EVH — that kind of thing told me a lot about what this business actually values. And when I arrived, the culture backed it up. Strong connections between staff, a real work ethic, and a shared sense of where the business is heading.
Gaining my CIPD Level 5. I went straight into Level 5 without doing Level 3 first — there was an exam essay and a practical interview examining my professional ability. It means a lot to be formally qualified as an HR professional. But the thing I’m most excited about is still ahead — the NWR Academy project. I think that’s going to be a genuinely important moment for the business and its people.
Feel-good. People genuinely like coming to work — they’re enthusiastic, motivated, passionate about the business. And that’s outstanding, given that nobody sets out to work in waste. That passion isn’t accidental. It comes from a culture that’s been built carefully over thirty years, and it’s something worth protecting as the business keeps growing.
The summer and Christmas parties last year were a real highlight. We’d taken on a lot of new staff, which can make that kind of thing harder — people don’t always know each other yet. But everybody made the effort to make each other feel welcome. That togetherness isn’t forced here. It’s just how people are.
The vision is to grow every aspect of the business — improve customer service, look after and support our people, and become the region’s largest waste management provider. My role in that is developing our people strategy and building our presence in the community. The NWR Academy is a big part of that. It’s about making sure the people side of this business grows as fast as everything else.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t hold back ideas. New people come in with fresh perspectives, and that’s always valuable. We can always develop — and sometimes the best ideas come from someone who’s just arrived and sees things differently.
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 […]
Syngas gasification is a proven technology that has been used for several decades in various industries. These include sectors such as power generation, chemical production, and waste management. The feasibility of gasification as a process depends on several factors. Factors including the type of feedstock, the scale of the operation, and the specific application. One […]