Successfully Running A .gov Organization Like Your Own Small Business

Growing up in the recycling business, I have a special place in my heart for anything to do with recycling. I am the most familiar with metal recycling, because that is the industry I grew up in and am presently involved in as the CEO of United Metals Recycling. Not very often do you get to see a .gov organization that is set up and operated like a small business but that's exactly what I was able to witness and discuss when we sat down with Josh Bartlome and Nate Francisco last week.

Josh Bartlome did not grow up in the recycling industry, nor did he grow up in the solid waste/landfill industry. A Washington State native, Josh is the President and CEO of Southern Solid Idaho Waste, has found his way into the industry via a friendly neighborhood flag waving contest brought on by the annual Apple Cup, a huge rivalry football game between Washington State University (Josh's Alma Mater) and University of Washington (his neighor's Alma Mater)!

In this Recycled Idaho Podcast, Josh touches on how one gets involved in the solid waste industry, "the one thing I have noticed in solid waste when you talk about people's stories, they don't have a story that says when I was a little kid I wanted to be in solid waste." Josh breaks down why this industry appealed to him and his specific skill set and how he has went about running this .gov organization like his own small business.

How playing team sports transfers into running an organization. "Your team is an organization and you are essentially the coach" Josh said. "Its up to you whether you have a winning team or not....You never want someone on the team who is not giving their all."

What are the biggest challenges the solid waste industry faces, "People don't always think the highest of landfill people or scrap people.....People don't know what we do, so it is our job to let them know what we do, and try and change the perception of the solid waste industry to be professional and efficient"

Take a listen to the episode here: Apple / Spotify / YouTube

FYI - The YouTube version of this podcast is AWESOME....there are some really cool video clips of the facilities and the Gas to Electricity equipment that is generating enough power daily to run 2,000 homes in Idaho!