Beyond the Bin with Megan Mullinix

Welcome to Beyond the Bin, our ongoing 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, we sat down with Megan Mullinix, Key Account Director at Rubicon. Since joining the company nearly a year ago as Director of Grease & Oil, Megan has transitioned into her current role, where she partners with some of Rubicon’s largest customers to advance their waste, recycling, and sustainability initiatives. We caught up with Megan to learn more about her career journey, what inspires her each day, and why she’s passionate about helping organizations turn sustainability goals into measurable results.

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

Megan: No two days are exactly the same – which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. My primary focus is supporting our national corporate customers while also working closely with sustainability leaders across a variety of industries. A typical day involves collaborating with customers, coordinating with internal teams, solving operational challenges, and helping organizations identify more sustainable solutions that move materials away from landfill.

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

Megan: The opportunity to drive sustainable initiatives and help customers find higher and better uses for their materials. I love identifying alternative solutions that keep valuable resources out of landfills and create lasting environmental impact.

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

Megan: One project I’m especially excited about is our work with one of our major national grocery chains to implement recycling and organics programs across locations nationwide. Another accomplishment has been helping implement compactors across approximately 80% of this same national grocery chain. Projects like these demonstrate how the right combination of technology, operations, and sustainability can make a meaningful difference at scale.

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

Megan: To me, sustainability is about creating long-term solutions – not short-term fixes. It’s about finding programs and processes that can continue delivering value well into the future. Ultimately, I view sustainability through the lens of working toward zero waste and continuously finding better ways to recover materials instead of sending them to landfill.

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

Megan: I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that certain plastics can’t be recycled.

For example, many people assume stretch film has to be thrown away because it’s not a plastic bottle or container. In reality, stretch film is often highly recyclable and, in many cases, is actually a very desirable material for recycling programs. Helping customers understand opportunities like that can make a significant difference in their diversion efforts.

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

Megan: I separate my recyclable materials at home and take them to a local recycling collection site. I believe practicing what we promote professionally is important.

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

Megan: Start with a comprehensive waste audit. Before making changes, it’s important to understand exactly what’s being generated, what’s currently happening with those materials, and where the opportunities exist. Once you have that baseline, you can build a structured program that’s designed around the organization’s specific goals and operational needs.

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

Megan: …being a trusted partner that helps organizations manage everything from A to Z on their waste, recycling, and sustainability journey. We work alongside our customers to build programs that reduce waste, increase diversion, and create long-term environmental value.

Lightning Round with Megan

Coffee or tea? Coffee.

Early bird or night owl? Early bird.

Mountains or beach? Mountains.

Dogs or cats? Dogs.

Sweet or salty? Both, but if I can only pick one – it’s sweet.

Text or phone call? Phone call.

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 Megan or any of our experts at [email protected].