A Sustainable Partner: WRJ Driver Tucker Slie

Building relationships is Lester "Tucker" Slie’s specialty. A vital member of the White River Junction, VT, hauling and collection team, Slie takes great pride in his work as a compost route driver and the support he provides daily to customers in both Vermont and New Hampshire as they work to progress their individual sustainability goals and waste management initiatives.

Can you describe your career journey at Casella?

I've been with Casella for three and a half years now. Before joining the company, I made sure to obtain my Class A driver's license, so when I started, I began as a driver. My first task was driving a rear-load truck. Then, in coordination with the management, I trained to drive a front-load truck before transitioning to the compost route.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really like working at Casella because I can see that we are valuable and feel taken care of. We are a good team here, and it's a great place to work. What I enjoy most about my job, specifically, is the opportunity to learn new things and continuously improve my skills. I appreciate that I have my own assigned route, allowing me to build strong relationships with our customers.

How does servicing a compost route differ from a typical pick-up?

The primary difference between the compost route and the trash or recycling route is geography. Compost routes cover a broader area, serving schools and restaurants with fewer residential stops. This means more miles driven, around 200 miles per day. In contrast, trash and recycling routes involve more frequent stops within a 40-mile radius but entail fewer miles on the road.

How do you engage with and support Casella customers and communities on a daily basis?

Building strong relationships with our customers is crucial, especially when you're responsible for compost routes. It's also essential to keep the truck clean to avoid any potential odors from food waste. Good communication and doing everything to help one another make the job easier for both drivers and customers.

How do you share your knowledge and experience with others?

Currently, I'm mentoring a new employee who has just started, so we're at the beginning of his journey. I feel that it is important to help each other on the road and teach new employees that our customers are the center of our work. We are a service and it is important to us that our customers are happy.

Want to join our team? Explore our various career path options and apply today at casella.com/careers.