Sustainable wastes manager, Lambeth

Jason Searles
Salary: £31,500
Jason Searles
Jason Searles

This time last year I'd only been in my job for three months, so things have developed. I've taken on more responsibilities, running more recycling programmes. Until recently our main focus was on picking up refuse and recyclables. But now, equally important is education, trying to reach people who don't necessarily get involved in recycling. There is low participation from housing estates and households where English isn't a first language. But improving services takes time, mainly because they are contracted.

The whole recycling agenda has gone up a notch. The mayor of London has produced a draft municipal waste strategy and we're working towards new government recycling targets for 2003-4. Plus, we're leading into local elections, so parties start trying to score points over who cares most about services. It all means recycling has been pushed up the political agenda, and that makes me feel valued.

But I am moving to a new job in Essex, where I'm from. House prices in London are ridiculous, so I'm going to work for Essex county council. It's the same role, but slightly less money - but I'll be able to buy a house. There is a debate now about affordable housing for public sector workers, but it has been mostly about NHS staff and the police, not local authority workers. Yet there are lots of people I work with who would never be able to buy in London.

The election debate about public services was a bit of a damp squib. A lot was said, but not much has been done. I voted for Labour and I'm glad I did, but I still want to see a bigger debate on tax increases to fund the public sector. Politically, it's not easy. But it's the right thing to do.

The Common Good: March 21 2001

Sustainable wastes manager, Lambeth
Salary: £29,000

You never forget you're working for the public in my job. I manage Lambeth's sustainable wastes unit, developing strategies for recycling, re-use, composting and waste reduction. The recycling schemes we run here are for residents and businesses and we need their support - so there are lots of meetings with community groups. I also help manage the borough's recycling contracts. On top of that, it's our job to secure funding.

My days involve a lot of meetings - with council members, contractors and service providers. I've only been here four months, but I was in a similar job in Southwark before.

I've always wanted to do this, right from doing a degree in environmental planning and pollution control. I earn about £29,000 and would probably get more in the private sector, but there isn't really a comparable role. Anyway, I'm not interested. I think you'd be distracted by profit and loss, rather than being driven by what the public wants.

I feel like a public servant but I think the term is outdated. I'd say I was a community empowerer. I certainly feel valued. Public awareness about recycling and sustainable waste has increased dramatically since the first bottle banks appeared. Residents see recycling as a core service, not just a nice add-on - especially our green box service, collecting from doorsteps.

But we do need a debate about how much we're prepared to pay for services. Politicians, residents and businesses have to understand that if they want services, they need to pay for them, that there are difficult choices to make. I feel very involved in that debate in my role.