At Recology, we are committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse work environment where employees are valued, heard, and provided development opportunities. As an employee owned company, Recology is proud that 56% of the value of Recology shares are owned by minority and/or women employees.
Recology employee owners come from varying backgrounds, industries, levels of experience, and are demographically diverse. We believe that a wide variety of perspectives and experiences enables people to make better decisions collectively, and in order to achieve success it’s crucial that our employees reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Women’s Network
In early 2018, we launched the Recology Women’s Network to GROW, inspire, and support each other to recognize our power, purpose, and voice. Our Women’s Network offers employees an opportunity for mentorship, community, and a platform for sharing ideas about career development. We continue to actively recruit, hire, and develop talented female employees to GROW within Recology and to help Recology GROW.
"We have several amazing women at Recology in leadership roles who have driven so many of us to aspire for more."
Operations Manager, Recology Davis
- Operations Manager
- Recology Davis
Justina Vega
Justina started her career at Recology in 2007 as a Customer Service Representative for Recology Vacaville Solano. Four years later, she moved into the Finance/Accounts Payable Department, and in 2014 she transitioned into the Safety Department as Safety Coordinator. A few years later, she became Safety Specialist and then Group Safety Manager. Today, she serves as Operations Manager for Recology Davis.
Through her various positions, Justina has gained extensive experience in collection and processing operations, providing the skills needed to understand how the company functions on a financial level. Working in a variety of departments has not only helped Justina understand her value, but has given her the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented leaders. Over the last 12 years, she has seen more women come into leadership roles, and says they have inspired her to aim high and have a voice.
Prior to Recology, she spent about 15 years in the restaurant industry worked as an executive assistant. She was on her way to getting a BA in criminal justice at Sacramento State when they started cutting classes due to budget. She stopped classes to work at Recology temporarily, but soon felt invested in the company and the people. Since then, Justina was able to go back to school and earned her BA and MA in Business Administration.
"Explore who you are, own who you are, and Recology will find a path for you to flourish. There is no shortage of diversity or opportunity."
Waste Zero Specialist, Recology CleanScapes - Seattle
- Waste Zero Specialist
- Recology CleanScapes - Seattle
Jennifer Power
Jennifer, or Jen as we call her, has always had a strong personal draw for sustainability and reducing waste, and it's more important than ever that her career align with her personal beliefs and interests - being a Waste Zero Specialist fits the bill. In the last two years with Recology, Jen says she's learned more than she ever thought possible about the impact that trash has on the planet once we throw it “away.”
As a young woman working in the waste industry, she's learned a lot about herself when it comes to voicing her thoughts. She knows what she brings to the team, and has found her voice and feels confidence in her decisions. She advises other women who want to work at Recology to do the same - explore who you are, own who you are, and Recology will find the path for you to flourish.
Before coming to Recology, Jen focused on reducing waste in the health industry, specifically at hospitals. Hospitals are notoriously challenging when it comes to waste because they use a lot of single-use disposables. She also worked in environmental education, inspiring marginalized communities most affected by pollution and climate change to become empowered, environmentally literate, and take action.
"While working at Recology, I've realized there are no limits - so strive for success."
District Manager, Recology Sunset Scavenger
- District Manager
- Recology Sunset Scavenger
Lynell Stinson
Lynell started her career with Recology nearly 15 years ago, gaining experience in a variety of operational roles - first as Dispatcher, then as Dispatch Supervisor, Operations Supervisor, and finally as District Manager. She said that at every stage of her career with Recology, she's been given opportunities to GROW. The variety roles she's held has allowed her to learn about the business from every angle, along with development opportunities such as Recology Academy. She says she's become a better leader and continues to learn new skills to advance in the future.
Aside from the day-to-day operations work, Lynell finds it rewarding to be apart of an employee owned company. As a team, everyone is able to generate wealth for themselves, create more jobs, and give back to the communities Recology serves. She says she loves the committed relationships the company has with customers and the community, the opportunities to grow in leadership positions, and the great benefits that are provided to her and her family.
Prior to Recology, Lynell worked in the waste industry in a variety of roles for nearly eight years. She held multiple positions, including, Receptionist, Dispatcher, Community Relations Coordinator, and Customer Service Representative.
"Always look for opportunities to bring value to the organization, and sharpen skills whenever possible."
Director Environmental Compliance, Corporate
- Director of Environmental Compliance
- Corporate
Amy Dietz
Amy has worked at Recology for nearly 17 years years - she prides herself on working for a company that values its ties to the community, is committed to environmental protection, and supports a collaborative work culture - something she says Recology has provided throughout her career. More importantly, she enjoys working with a team of talented and committed Recologists!
Amy started with Recology as an Environmental Specialist in 2001, evaluating groundwater quality at Recology landfills and reviewing waste disposal applications. As part of those activities, she reviewed analytical data for soil from site cleanups to determine if the soil was acceptable for disposal at a landfill. Later, as a consultant for Recology, she managed environmental site assessments for property transfers, and continued to participate in environmental due diligence for acquisitions. Over time, she was had the opportunity to expand her role in environmental compliance and take on more responsibility in this area.
Amy has spent the majority of her career with Recology due to a variety of reasons, with the main reasons being that Recology has fostered her professional growth by providing opportunities for taking on new and challenging projects and offered formal leadership programs like Recology Leadership & Beyond.
"I think the key to success is to be open to change, and embrace it."
Customer Service Mgr, Recology Western Oregon
- Customer Service Manager
- Recology Western Oregon
Amanda Harris
Before she started her career with Recology, Amanda held a variety of roles, including Certified Medical Technician and Collections Agent with a bank. She started her career with Recology in 2003, and has since held several positions with the company.
Amanda started as a Customer Service Representative, which she held for about a year before transferring to the Information Systems Department. Due to company growth in 2010, Recology combined Customer Service and Information Systems, and she soon became Supervisor of both departments. A few years later she was interested in operations, and transferred to the McMinnville Recycling Facility as the Operations Supervisor. She also became certified as the fork lift trainer. In 2015, she accepted what is now her current role as Customer Service and Office Manager, where she oversees four departments (Data Quality, Customer Service, Dispatch, and Scale Attendants).
She says, "In the last 15 years, I raised my kids while working here, and have formed lifelong friendships. The people I work with would make this a difficult job to give up. Not to mention that I like the daily challenges and the constant changes."
"I love working with customers. I am the first person they meet - I get to know them, and they get to know me."
Container Delivery Driver, Recology CleanScapes
- Container Delivery Driver
- Recology CleanScapes
Sharon Strain
Sharon started her career as a driver in 1988 with a logistics and supply chain company, where she worked for 20 years before obtaining a commercial drivers license (CDL) in the 1990s. In 2008, Sharon started with Recology as a Helper, where she assisted drivers on the back of the truck - it was hard work! As soon as a driver role became available, she was promoted to her current role as Container Delivery Driver. She's responsible for delivering new containers when customers move, replacing old containers, and picking up old or damaged ones.
Being a female driver, laborer, or helper isn't necessarily something many women consider, but she was intrigued by the challenge. As a Receptionist at her previous company, she was encouraged by a co-worker to apply to be a driver, and was surprised she enjoyed it.
Sharon says that working as a driver allows her to be independent throughout the day, and is the next best thing to being her own boss. She's able to make critical decisions, interact with customers, and provide a necessary service to the company and community.