Plastics Recycling member-based charity, RECOUP, are well respected across the plastics recycling value chain, and in an industry, which is traditionally male dominated, the organisation has bucked the trend and employs a predominately female workforce.
Whilst plastics recycling has a reputation of being a male orientated sector, we live in a world where it said men recycle less than women.[1] Perhaps, RECOUP have got it right by putting skills sets and passion for top priorities in their recruitment process. Women are by their very nature natural carers, both for the environment and what they are doing. Bringing these attributes to the plastics recycling industry is beneficial; the more an industry cares about doing the right thing, the more likely it is that it will be innovative in delivering the processes required to evolve and change for the benefit of the planet.
With 70% of the workforce female, the charity is clearly bucking the trend. Roles vary from the obvious accountancy and communications positions to the more technical packaging testing, material assessments and data analysis work.
Stuart Foster, RECOUP, CEO, stated “Through identifying transferrable skills RECOUP are able to recruit at the highest level to ensure best fit with the role. It is about finding the right people for the job and we have been fortunate to find excellent candidates by concentrating on key attributes such as critical thinking, multi-tasking, teamwork and communication.”
Whilst working in plastics recycling was never previously considered by many of the existing RECOUP workforce, the approach to identifying transferrable attributes from other sectors has given the opportunity for some members of the RECOUP workforce to find a passion in plastics and in particular plastics packaging that they never expected. Kate Bedford, Senior Project Officer, works closely with brands assessing plastic packaging recyclability and is a UK assessor for RecyClass. Kate said “In terms of a career, I would say the world of plastics was probably not on the top of the list when I was looking at career options. I have been very surprised since I began my role at RECOUP at just how the industry work together, continually striving to improve, sharing best practice, and knowledge allowing me to grow and learn.
It has given me the opportunity to work alongside brands, making improvements and recommendations to their packaging, also being involved in the practical on-site testing means I am able to develop relationships with our members and stakeholders across the UK and Europe.
As plastics has such a wide scope and covers many areas there are always new innovations which can bring new challenges.”
Whilst RECOUP have encouraged some of their current workforce to take up a position within the sector to make sure that RECOUP do not continue to be an exception to the rule, it is crucial that the career potential is on the radar of today’s students and education providers.
Citizen & Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Anne Hitch, said, “it is important that through the work we do in schools we inspire the potential employees of tomorrow to get interested in sciences and environmental studies. There is so much more to plastics recycling and resource management than what goes in what bin. We hope to inspire the young ladies of today to become the plastics recycling and resource leaders of tomorrow.”
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/05/real-men-dont-recycle-how-sexist-stereotypes-are-killing-the-planet