Beyond the Bin with Ashley Mayfield

Welcome to Beyond the Bin, our ongoing monthly Q&A series introducing you to the people powering Rubicon’s mission to end waste. From customer success and operations to technology and sustainability, these are the experts working behind the scenes every day to help customers, partners, and haulers build smarter, more sustainable waste and recycling programs. 

In this edition of Beyond the Bin, we caught up with Ashley Mayfield, Account Director at Rubicon. Ashley has been part of the Rubicon team for more than six years, joining the company as a Key Account Manager in 2020 before being promoted to Account Director in August 2025. We talked with Ashley about her career journey, what motivates her every day, and why she’s passionate about helping customers achieve their sustainability goals. 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. What do you do at Rubicon, and what does a typical day look like? 

Ashley: Since becoming an Account Director, my role has become much more strategic. Instead of focusing primarily on day-to-day tactical tasks, I spend a lot of time looking at the bigger picture for the customers I support. 

I’m constantly looking for opportunities to make a meaningful impact. That means analyzing data, identifying excess service levels for right-sizing opportunities, uncovering sustainability improvements, and finding ways to reduce costs while improving service. For example, if I notice a location isn’t recycling, I may recommend adding a recycling program while reducing waste costs. 

Every customer is different, so I always think “How can Rubicon make their job easier?” That’s what drives my approach every day. 

Q: Give me one thing that excites you most about the work you do? 

Ashley: Oh, that’s easy. Teaching and helping others grow. Whether I’m mentoring members of my team or helping colleagues solve a problem, I really enjoy sharing knowledge. I love learning new things myself, and I love passing that knowledge along. Likewise, I’m always learning from others when they have expertise I don’t. That willingness to teach and learn from one another is something I really value. 

Q: Tell me about a project or accomplishment here at Rubicon you are especially proud of? 

Ashley: Being promoted to Account Director was certainly a milestone, but what excites me most right now is our emerging work with front-load sensor technology. We’re taking something as ordinary as a dumpster and making it smarter by providing customers with actionable data. Instead of waiting for someone to report a missed pickup, the technology can help identify issues proactively. It also helps customers reduce unnecessary pickups, lower costs, and decrease their carbon footprint.  We are transforming everyday waste management into something much more intelligent and data-driven. 

Q: Sustainability means different things to different people. What does it mean to you? 

Ashley: To me, sustainability starts with being mindful. It’s about making thoughtful decisions every day, whether that’s avoiding unnecessary trips, making smarter purchasing decisions, or simply asking yourself whether something is truly a need or just a want. 

Small decisions add up over time, and being intentional about those choices is an important part of living more sustainably. 

Q: What’s one misconception people have about the waste, recycling, or sustainability industry? 

Ashley: One of the biggest misconceptions oddly is that recycling simply ends up in a landfill. People often see the same truck servicing both trash and recycling and assume it’s all being disposed of together. In reality, there’s much more happening behind the scenes. Educating people about how recycling facilities operate and how materials are processed can go a long way toward correcting that misunderstanding. 

Q: What is one sustainability habit you practice at home? 

Ashley: I like buying certain items on the secondary market, especially luxury handbags. Not only does it save money, but it also extends the life of a quality product. I think that’s a great example of sustainability – finding ways to reuse and restore items instead of automatically buying something new. 

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give a customer (or potential customer) looking to improve their waste, recycling, or sustainability program? 

Ashley: Partner with an expert who genuinely cares about your business and your success. The right partner doesn’t just pick up your waste – they understand your goals, your budget, and your operational challenges. A strong partnership means developing solutions that fit your organization while helping you improve sustainability and control costs over the long term. 

Q: Complete this sentence: “At Rubicon, we’re making a difference by…” 

Ashley: … bringing a sustainability-focused mindset to every decision we make. Anyone can collect waste. What makes us different is that we’re committed to helping customers become more sustainable while improving their operations. 

Lighting Round with Ashley: 

Coffee or tea? Coffee  

Early bird or night owl? Night owl – I do my best thinking in the evenings 

Mountains or beach? Beach – I was born in the mountains, so now I naturally gravitate toward the beach  

Dogs or cats? Dogs  

Sweet or salty? Sweet  

Text or phone call? Text  

Book or movie? Book 

Whether you’re looking to improve operational efficiency, increase diversion, or advance your sustainability goals, the Rubicon team is here to help. Reach out to Ashley or any of our experts at [email protected].