Bonnie Bethune: Celebrating a Career of Recycling
On Wednesday, March 14th over 50 people gathered in person and even more online to celebrate NRRA's Senior Member Services Representative, Bonnie Bethune, who is retiring in early April after nearly 22 years at NRRA and a lifetime in the recycling industry.
According to Bonnie, it all began April 22, 1970: an Earth Day, where 11 year old Bonnie did her first road cleanup with her family on the roadside in Chester, NH. As Bonnie said, she was lucky enough to have two careers. The first outside, working at the Wilton and New Boston Recycling Centers; the second in the office at NRRA.
Bonnie has accomplished and contributed so much. Throughout her career, she has received a variety of accolades, awards, and honors. She is certified as a Senior Principal Operator through the NH DES Solid Waste Facility Operator Training and Certificate Program. In 1990, Bonnie received a Recycling Merit Award from NRRA for her good work in New Boston. In 2009, Bonnie received the “Best Equipment Operator” award from NRRA. In 2021, as part of Reagan’s Pandemic Performance Award Campaign, Bonnie received the “Member Services Lifeline” award. In 2013, she was inducted into NRRA’s Hall of Fame – an honor that is reserved for board, staff, and volunteers who have provided ten or more years of service to NRRA. In 2023, Bonnie was chosen as NRRA’s “Sami Izzo Recycler of the Year award.” Most recently, Bonnie was featured on the cover of Resource Recycling Magazine’s “Women in Circularity.” There have also been countless accolades from members, vendors and others who have worked with Bonnie over the years. It’s no wonder she is considered the “Recycling Queen”.
There are many reasons why Bonnie is so beloved by operators and coworkers alike. As NRRA's Executive Director, Reagan Bissonnette, shared, Bonnie exemplifies NRRA’s organizational values.
Her work has consistently been to connect & educate, becoming the go-to for out of ordinary recycling questions. In fact, some members will call and say "maybe you can answer this, but it might be a Bonnie question!" Bonnie follows up and follows through, such as taking ownership setting up years of HHW events from soup to nuts! She saves time and solves problems, sometimes going to great lengths to assist members and get answers for them.
Bonnie genuinely cares about the individuals she works with and is quick to collaborate and built partnerships. A touching example came from during a Site visit to scrap metal vendor. Bonnie was taking her time talking with a staff member while Reagan and our primary contact moved on. Before leaving, Bonnie gave the staff member a hug – even though she just met them, upon learning about a death in the staff member's family, Bonnie wanted to show her care and concern.
Finally, and above all, Bonnie is Member Centered. Any time a change happens, Bonnie's first question is "How will this effect the Member?" And her most famous quote about her time at NRRA: “there is nothing better than the feeling you get when you can help a town out and it makes an impact for them.”
But perhaps NRRA's HR and Finance Director, Paula Dow, said it best when she shared:
"I want to acknowledge Bonnie for dedicating her life’s passion to recycling, NRRA and its members. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who did not love and praise Bonnie. With over 40 years in the recycling industry, she has such extensive knowledge and experience. I’m not sure there is any question that Bonnie can’t answer about recycling. She’s not only willing and happy to share her knowledge, but I’d go a step further and say she’s anxious to share it with anyone who asks or needs help.
Bonnie has done so much for NRRA, and we cannot begin to express our gratitude and thanks. Personally, working with Bonnie has been a true pleasure, and it won’t be the same without her. She has been a reliable, pleasant and welcoming voice on the other end of the phone for so many, and for so long. It’s going to be very strange not seeing her in the office or chatting back and forth with her on Teams. They say that everyone can be replaced, but Bonnie has left some very tall boots to fill."
We couldn't agree more! So thank you, Bonnie, for everything! We will enjoy these last few weeks with you, and we will then wish you the very best in your well-deserved retirement!!
We shared this slideshow during Bonnie's celebration!
Here are a few more photos from Bonnie's retirement party!
Bonnie's three girls are her pride and joy - we were so glad they were able to join us in celebrating their mom!
