Staff spotlight - Mike Burns

Every person in the Indigo Environmental team is important to us, which is why we’ve decided to introduce you to a different colleague each month, so you can learn more about them and their role.

Here, we’re finding out more about site manager, Mike Burns…

Name: Michael Burns

Job title: Site ManagerDepartment / site: Three Counties Reclamation (part of the Indigo Environmental Group)

1.Summarise your role in one paragraph:

I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the site — including overseeing incoming and outgoing material and ensuring the health and safety of all staff members and visitors. I also oversee that production targets are achieved in a safe and cost-effective manner.

2.What is your favourite part of the job?

Accomplishing production goals and learning more about new recyclables that we handle on site.

3.Pick three words your colleagues would use to describe you:

Positive, devoted and fair.

4.Which word do you think best describes the ethos at Indigo?

Committed.

5.What’s been the most satisfying moment of your Indigo career so far?

Being offered the role of site manager at Three Counties Reclamation, after spending several months working at the Indigo site in Widnes.

6.What are your hopes for Indigo in the coming year?

That both Indigo sites continue to drive forward and hit new targets, despite the disruption of COVID-19.

7.What or who sparked your passion for working within the waste and recycling sector?

Before joining the Indigo team, I had a fairly blasé attitude towards waste and recycling, but after working here, I have become truly passionate about the positive impact it can have on the environment. There are still many materials that are non-recyclable and hopefully in the future, we can change this.

8.What do you think is one of the biggest environmental challenges currently facing the UK? Reducing the amount of non-recyclable material going to landfill and fighting to keep recyclable material within the UK, in order to boost the national economy.

9. Complete the sentence: “The recycling of plastic materials is…”

Essential for the future and sustainability of our planet.