‘We reached record-breaking recycling figures’ – WasteServ CEO on his best moment from 2021

Buying Christmas presents is hard, especially if you don’t know the receiver of the gift particularly well.

Luckily, some people make it easier by having a very clear idea of what they want. One such person is Richard Bilocca, CEO of WasteServ.

“You can’t go wrong with a good whiskey,” Richard says when asked what the best gift he’s ever received is.

“But when I’m gifted with formal clothing, I have to put on a forced Christmassy smile. I’m also intrigued by the gifts my children receive.”

When it comes to the presents he likes to give to other people, Richard says he likes to give useful gifts that aren’t just used a few times before being discarded.

“If I had to mention something special, for the past 20 years, together with a group of friends, I’ve organised an event for less fortunate people and I believe that if I do anything to be proud of during Christmas, it is definitely this.”

Richard says he likes to spend Christmas “in simplicity” with loved ones, away from crowds.

“As a kid I recall how I used to see Christmas as a magical time. Now I see it as a very important festivity that should lead people to think of those in need, and about how we can be helpful towards one another. From an operational point of view Christmas is an extremely busy time for WasteServ, and that reminds us that even in such festive periods, reducing, reusing and recycling should take priority.  

Much like other CEOs we’ve interviewed, Richard isn’t a big fan of New Year’s resolutions.

“I’ve actually never made resolutions and 2022 won’t be an exception, but if I had to make one it would be to maybe slow down a bit. But I know I won’t keep it, so there’s no point in making it in the first place.

This year, WasteServ managed to reach record-breaking recycling figures, processing a whopping 19,000 tones of recyclables.

“This was my favourite moment of the year because it was the result of the extremely hard work we’ve put into reviving our company,” he says, observing that, when the going gets tough, it’s the least visible and least appreciated people who carry the most weight.

“With this I thank all our employees who, in very difficult conditions that were further compounded by the pandemic, continued not only to do what is expected of them but they even managed to deliver a record-breaking year.

As for what 2022 has in store for the waste management industry, Richard couldn’t be more optimistic.

“Undoubtedly, even better results. Waste management and the proper separation of waste need to continue becoming mainstream topics, with everyone understanding that waste reduction and proper separation efforts are not simply a glossy alternative for tree huggers, but an essential prerequisite for healthy economic activity. ”