Meet SWANA's Young Professionals!

Name: Amber Barbella 

Job Title/Company: Owner/Operator, Diversion Designers 

Where you’re located: Denver, CO 

How many years have you been in the industry: 8 years 

If you were to travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?  

I am hoping to make it to Antarctica for a season to support them with their waste management operations! 

What does SMM mean to you? 

For me, it’s taking a step back from just discarding items, to thinking about all items as a potential resource. In my spare time, I’m an artist, which has helped me to think innovatively and outside of the box. This skill has allowed me to get creative when working with items that you would typically discard. So, it’s important that items are assessed as resources rather than trash. The role of SMM is to help us share this education piece. 

How did your education contribute to you joining the solid waste industry? 

I went to a small liberal arts college in the US and studied environmental studies. I was awarded a grant to design a process for recycling compostables and other recyclable items from student dorms. Whilst at college, I also managed the “Free Store," similar to a college thrift shop, where I would educate students on the importance of not throwing away their furniture, and instead offering it for re-use.  

As a YP working in SMM, what about this industry have you found to be most interesting? 

I’m a big picture thinker! I enjoy learning all the in-depth pieces of where waste and materials end up, and I enjoy learning and educating myself on the circular economy. 

What are the topics you see keeping you busy over the next 5-10 years?  

I live in Colorado, and I am seeing so many policy updates, especially in EPR. I feel like as a YP, these policies are only just developing. I’m excited to see where I’ll fit into this picture as policies change. 

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on in regards to SMM? Any lessons learned you’d like to share (successes or what not to do)? 

That would be my biggest project that I have worked on! This was the Reuse Denver project for The City and County of Denver. The project supported 27 food establishments to transition to re-usable service-ware. The project eliminated almost one million single use items from being landfilled. And the biggest lesson I learnt was how to educate responsible waste management practices, and its benefits to small business owners. I found that cost was their biggest motivator. 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? 

In my spare time I enjoy welding to create artistic structures, [and] I enjoy working with lights, so I find it fun to create chandeliers. I also really enjoy hiking!