Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Pelletizing • Bale Breaking • RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel)

Commingled

Term from Recycling industry explained for recruiters

Commingled refers to a recycling system where different recyclable materials (like paper, plastic, glass, and metal) are collected together in one container instead of being separated at the source. This method makes recycling easier for residents and businesses but requires sorting at special facilities later. When someone mentions "commingled" or "single-stream recycling" on their resume, they're typically talking about their experience with this type of recycling collection and processing system. It's different from "source-separated recycling" where materials must be pre-sorted before collection.

Examples in Resumes

Managed commingled recycling operations for a 500-employee facility

Increased efficiency of commingled waste sorting by 35%

Trained staff on proper commingled collection procedures and contamination reduction

Typical job title: "Recycling Coordinators"

Also try searching for:

Recycling Manager Waste Management Specialist Materials Recovery Specialist Environmental Services Coordinator Sustainability Coordinator Recycling Operations Manager

Where to Find Recycling Coordinators

Professional Associations

Online Communities

• LinkedIn Recycling Professionals Group
• Reddit r/recycling
• WasteDive Community

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you design a commingled recycling program for a large corporation?

Expected Answer: Should discuss program implementation steps, contamination reduction strategies, employee education, logistics planning, and cost-benefit analysis. Should also mention vendor selection and compliance requirements.

Q: What strategies have you used to reduce contamination in commingled recycling streams?

Expected Answer: Should explain educational programs, signage systems, monitoring methods, and how to work with processing facilities to identify and address contamination issues.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main challenges of managing a commingled recycling program?

Expected Answer: Should discuss contamination issues, education needs, proper collection methods, and working with various stakeholders to maintain program quality.

Q: How do you track and report recycling metrics in a commingled system?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic measurement methods, reporting systems, contamination tracking, and how to present data to management.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What materials are typically accepted in a commingled recycling program?

Expected Answer: Should list common materials like paper, cardboard, plastic containers, glass, and metals, and understand basic contamination issues.

Q: How would you explain commingled recycling to a new employee?

Expected Answer: Should be able to clearly explain the basics of what can and cannot go into commingled recycling bins and why proper sorting matters.