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Waste and Sustainability Coordinator

Thames Water • United Kingdom • Added on Jun 12, 2026
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This role centers on managing the circular economy and regulatory integrity of surplus materials within a massive utility operation. You will lead the day-to-day operations of an internal resource redistribution platform, ensuring that equipment and materials are reused across various sites rather than being discarded. Beyond digital management, you act as the primary advisor on waste legislation, keeping the business compliant while innovating on resource recovery.

Working within the UK’s largest water provider, you directly influence the company’s objective to reduce pollution and enhance biodiversity. By optimizing the ‘Greentag’ system, you transform the concept of waste into a secondary resource market, preventing thousands of tons of material from reaching landfills. This is a pragmatic, hands-on sustainability role where your efficiency in logistics and compliance translates into immediate environmental protection for the Thames Valley region.

This suits someone who possesses a deep understanding of UK waste duty of care and enjoys a mix of technical compliance auditing and collaborative problem-solving across diverse operational departments.

Preguntas frecuentes

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus of this role is the operational management of resource efficiency. You will be responsible for the internal free-cycle operation, known as Greentag, which facilitates the reuse of materials and equipment across the organization. This involves monitoring an intranet-based system to ensure high-value items are redirected within the company instead of exiting as waste. You will also serve as a subject matter expert for Waste Duty of Care. This means you will lead on compliance standards, provide technical advice to various departments, and support the Environmental Compliance Lead in maintaining legal integrity. Accuracy in recording and reporting waste data is a critical component of the role to ensure environmental targets are met.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain extensive exposure to UK waste legislation and its practical application within a heavy industrial environment. Being embedded in the Environmental Compliance Team offers a unique lens into how large-scale utility providers manage the transition from linear to circular economy models through digital resource tracking. You can expect to develop skills in environmental auditing and site inspections, which are essential for career progression in sustainability. Exposure to Thames Water's vast Renewals and Logistics network also provides a deep understanding of sustainable supply chain management and the logistical complexities of waste management in a regulated industry.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal profile combines technical knowledge with strong collaborative skills. You should have a firm grasp of waste duty of care and policy in the UK. While a degree in Environmental Science or Sustainability is preferred, practical experience in resource management can be equally valuable. Soft skills are paramount as you will be influencing colleagues to change their disposal habits. Someone who holds or is working towards Chartered status (such as CIWM or SocEnv) will stand out. A valid UK driving license is essential, as the role requires traveling between different operational sites to conduct audits and provide hands-on advice.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond the standard resume and highlight specific examples where you have innovated to reduce waste or improved a compliance process. Thames Water is looking for a 'problem solver,' so demonstrating how you have managed complex material streams or successfully encouraged others to participate in reuse schemes will be highly effective. Showing familiarity with the water industry's environmental challenges, such as the AMP8 investment cycle or the company's biodiversity targets, can demonstrate proactive alignment with their strategic goals. Be prepared to discuss your approach to waste auditing and how you handle non-compliance issues diplomatically.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role is a cornerstone of the company's circular economy strategy. By maximizing the 'Greentag' system, you help the business reduce its total carbon footprint by avoiding the embedded emissions associated with purchasing new equipment and the transport of waste. There is also a strong governance and compliance focus. Ensuring that every site meets its environmental obligations prevents incidents that could lead to pollution, thereby protecting the natural habitats and biodiversity across the Thames Valley and London regions.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the chief hurdles will be changing the culture around waste across a workforce of over 6,000 employees. Encouraging busy operational teams to utilize the internal reuse system over simply discarding items requires persistent and persuasive communication. You may also face challenges related to the variety of waste streams. Managing everything from office equipment to specialized utility infrastructure requires broad technical knowledge and the ability to stay updated on shifting environmental regulations while working under tight deadlines.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day could begin at the Didcot Regional Distribution Centre, starting with a review of recent entries on the Greentag portal to facilitate the movement of materials between sites. You might then spend the morning conducting a Duty of Care audit at a wastewater treatment site, checking that waste is segregated and documented correctly. Afternoons are often spent in meetings with site managers to provide advice on specific waste disposal problems or analyzing data sets for environmental reporting. Because of the travel requirements, you will frequently be on the move, interacting with teams in the field to ensure safety and compliance are maintained.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This position offers a clear pathway into more specialized environmental management or senior compliance roles. As Thames Water embarks on its record-breaking £20 billion network upgrade, those in sustainability roles will have the chance to work on high-stakes, large-scale environmental projects. The organizational support for professional development means you may be mentored toward achieving Chartered status with organizations like CIWM or CIWEM. This provides long-term career value and positions you as a leading expert in the UK's utility sustainability sector.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will serve as a bridge between the Environmental Compliance Team and the wider business. Internally, you will interact with logistics teams, site managers, and the Renewals department to coordinate material reuse. Externally, you will likely engage with waste contractors and regulatory bodies to ensure that all disposal and recycling activities meet the required legal standards. Building strong relationships with these stakeholders is essential to maintaining the integrity of the company's waste management and sustainability reporting.

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