CHOOSE
A DIFFERENT TERRITORY
“Women in Recycling is about breaking down boundaries, creating a forum where women in the industry can ask questions and can grow their confidence,” says Anna Mathews, Commercial General Manager at EMR – who joined the organisation as a board member this year.
Listen to Anna's story in her own words
With International Women’s Day approaching, Anna is looking forward to the organisation’s next event in Sutton Coldfield on 7 March.
“There are talks about developing your career, how to walk confidently into a room that’s predominantly full of men, which can be intimidating, and just letting women who are starting out in the industry know that there’s a whole network of other women who are in senior roles and can offer support and advice when they need it.”
Operating in EMR’s fast-paced commercial department, Anna is certainly an example of someone who has found success in the recycling industry:
“There was a point in my last job where I was dealing with the impact of Brexit, COVID-19 and becoming a mother at the same time – I’m pretty proud of that.”
Anna’s first experience of the recycling industry was seeing her father heading to work each day as she grew up.
“I didn’t really understand how the industry worked and never saw myself as being a part of it. I really wanted a career where I could travel and where it would be different every day. I may not have seen that that was what this industry could offer, but my dad did – and, thankfully, he persevered in suggesting I gave it a go.
“I’ll have been working in the industry for 19 years in July.”
Despite having nearly two decades of experience in the sector, it wasn’t until December 2023 that Anna joined EMR.
For a role such as hers, this means Anna works with a team with specialist knowledge of each point along the supply chain.
“I had previously managed the whole end-to-end journey that material takes from sourcing to transport, handling all the documentation and even currency hedging. It’s refreshing to work in a company where I can focus on certain parts of the deal and not everything in its entirety.
And her experiences at EMR over the past 14 months highlight the huge amount of positive change that has occurred in the way women are welcomed into the industry in recent decades:
“Being one of the only women in the industry in 2006 was really challenging. There weren’t many women working in commercial or operational roles at that time. My main reason for becoming a board member for Women in Recycling is to help women who are starting out in their careers, so they feel like there are more people who’ve shared their experiences within the industry.
“If any young woman is considering applying for a job in the recycling sector, my advice would be to forget what you’ve heard about this being a traditionally male industry and focus on the role itself. It’s certainly not a job where you can get bored, as each day is different. What you do is connected to a global supply chain and you work with a range of businesses.
“If you’d like a job that’s different every day and allows you to travel, a career in the recycling industry could be for you.”
Another benefit of working for EMR is being part of a business with sustainability at its core and it is this journey which is currently focusing Anna’s attention:
“As a market leader, we’re always looking to take a lead when it comes to adapting to new legislation and our teams work closely with the Environment Agency to achieve the highest possible standards.
EMR is a forward-thinking company and I'm excited to be a part of both the current and future chapters of the recycling industry
Read about other people who make EMR a great place to work, learn about our culture and values, or see our latest vacancies.
