The Recycle1 “Meet the Team” is a series of articles that allow our clients and partners to get to know the team behind the brand.
Todd Blair is our transportation manager, but like so many at Recycle1, his role takes on a blend of responsibilities. He handles transportation logistics, maintenance and plant operations—and his day requires a complex coordination of tasks, resources and teams. Good thing he loves a challenge, and loves bringing all the difference pieces together! He’s a great example of what happens after years of dedication and hard work. And, as you’ll see, Todd also sets an example for giving back to the community and being incredibly selfless with his time. Meet Todd!
How long have you been in the recycling industry?
I’ve been in the industry since 1989, but I’ve been with Recycle1 for three years. I’m one of the newer team members. I got here by working my way up from the bottom. I had two friends who had a small garbage company and they needed some help—that’s how I got in the door. I just stuck with it and continued to move into a lot of different roles.
What jobs have you done?
I’ve been a helper, I was a driver for 11 years, a dispatcher, and then I was in sales and operations.
That’s a lot of roles. What’s been your favorite?
There are so many unique traits to each role. If I had to choose one, I would say operations. I liked working in operations and working with so many different people to get the job done.
What takes up your day now?
It’s a combination of plant operations, maintenance and supporting transportation. I perform inventory multiple times of day, looking to see where we’re at with finished and unfinished product. We do this to ensure orders stay on track. It also helps us plan for our needs the following day. We look not only at volume, but the quality of the product.
For maintenance, I look at what repairs need to be done, and track work orders. This means scheduling and prioritizing repairs. Sometimes this may mean handling emergency requests.
What does life look like for you outside of work?
I like to stay busy. I block out time in my week to spend time with my wife. I’m also involved in a lot of volunteering activities through my church. For example, I counsel men who are new to the jail system. These men are at the beginning of their sentences, often going through trial. They face isolation, depression, guilt, regret—a range of emotions. Our goal is to strive to help them find a sense of purpose and get a plan in place to get their lives back on track. I meet with people two times a week.
That’s a lot of your personal time going to others!
It is, but I feel it’s never too late to improve yourself. I really believe that.
