30 May 2025
The waste and environmental services sector has long been male-dominated – but that’s changing. At Plan B Management Solutions, we’re proud to support and encourage more women to develop their careers in this vital and evolving industry.
To shine a light on the opportunities, we spoke to three of our team members and asked them about their experiences. They shared their personal journeys, insights, and advice for women considering a move into waste and environmental services.
Leeann Neagle, Operations Manager, responsible for the day-to-day running of the kerbside collections service of recycling and refuse on behalf of our client, Bridgend Borough Council, believes the industry needs to project a new image in order to attract more women. “‘Male-dominated’ and ‘dirty’ are old ways of thinking. Let’s talk about the fact that the majority of the jobs at Plan B Management Solutions are Monday to Friday and can work around childcare,” she says.
In terms of personal experience, Leeann says, “When I became Operations Manager in June 2018 for another waste company, I definitely suffered with imposter syndrome and I felt I had something to prove. I quickly learned that I was no different from anyone else around the table, and the secret was to say if I didn’t understand something.”
For Nicola Thomas, Service Manager, HR/Trade, “It’s been both a learning curve and a cultural shift after managing in the retail sector.” She explains, “Working in operations came with challenges; there were assumptions that I couldn’t fully understand the role because I hadn’t “done the job” myself. But over time, I demonstrated that by combining my management skills with the team’s operational knowledge, we could achieve fantastic results. Now, there’s mutual respect.”
Visibility of senior women in the industry is also important. “In my first role in the waste industry, I worked for a female operations manager and that inspired me to climb the ladder. I hope I can inspire other women to keep pushing in this industry because there’s no end to what we can achieve,” Leeann says.
The gender split in the industry is changing for the better. “Over the past three years, I’ve noticed a lot more women taking leading roles within the material industry,” says Gemma Daniels, Business Support.
Our colleagues are clear about what they’d say to other women thinking about joining the industry. “Every day’s a learning day! No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, things are moving and changing all the time. Also, I have good relationships with my clients, male and female, and it’s a great way to interact with new people,” Gemma says.
“There are endless benefits,” adds Nicola. “Hybrid working, supportive employers, flexible schedules, and a wealth of training opportunities. Every day is a chance to learn something new, which I absolutely love. The work-life balance is excellent, and the financial benefits are highly competitive. If you’re looking for a meaningful, flexible, and growth-oriented career, the waste industry is a hidden gem.”