Sean Lukas

Sean Lukas’ love for the environment led him to pursue environmental studies, but he did not begin his career in the waste and recycling industry. In fact, he started as an intern with a county planning department working on a rails-to-trails project.

Living in rural New York, environmental jobs were not readily available. But, he says, the waste and recycling industry is everywhere, and one of “the most important things, as environmentalists, that we can do, is to be in charge of making sure that it’s being run properly.”

Since joining Rutland, Vermont-based Casella Waste Services Inc. in a landfill position, Lukas now works as a division manager on Casella’s behalf. In his role, he leads the waste and recycling operations in Clinton County, New York, overseeing a municipal solid waste landfill, nine drop-off locations and a material recovery facility.

In the following interview with Waste Today, Lukas shares his experience transitioning from county planning, food service and music to the waste and recycling industry and the lessons he’s learned about managing people and what it means to be part of a company with a network of resources and expertise.

"We’re also looking at how we can be better with everything else. Can we divert mattresses and recycle those? We know it’s possible, but how can we make it possible for us?”

Waste Today (WT): How did your prior experience and degree prepare you for the demands of your current position?

Sean Lukas (SL): My degree gave me the big picture, the environmental planning view—how to look at things from that perspective. But my prior experience was kind of all over. I actually went to school originally for recording engineering, kind of a music production background, because that’s what I really enjoyed doing. … It started the process of learning different things, and I was in that field for a while. I [also] was in food service for quite a while, and through all of that, you pick up a lot of people skills. You learn how to deal with people and get through situations in food. It can be similar to trash in the way that you need to get things done. You need to get it done quickly; you have a customer here; you have an environmental situation you need to deal with. It all needs to be resolved quickly. That prior experience taught me how to deal with people, react to situations the right way and quickly make a decision.

WT: What are some of the current trends you’re seeing in the industry and some things people should be aware of?

SL: We’re definitely seeing more of a push to recycle things that weren’t typically thought of as recyclable before. New York state has a big push where we are right now to source-separate organics ... sending food waste to [be composted]. So, we’re on the very front of that wave, and we’re trying to get composting facilities started here [in Clinton County].

We’re also looking at how we can be better with everything else. Can we divert mattresses and recycle those? We know it’s possible, but how can we make it possible for us?

Working for Casella, when you’re part of this bigger network and you have these different connections and you have all these people that are committed to using everything to the highest and best use, then you can make things happen. That’s been a great experience … [working with] all the different folks that have helped me get it done at the end of the day.