Welcome to the Haul of Fame, a weekly series from Rubicon in which we sit down with a hauler partner to talk about their company, their community, and how they’re collaborating with Rubicon in our mission to end waste.
As our nation continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the men and women at companies like these are on the front lines, continuing to drive their daily routes and keeping our communities safe and clean. Their work is the linchpin to safeguarding the public health and we thank them, now more than ever, for providing this essential service to our society.
Circle Sanitation, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is a hauling company operating 29 trucks in Central and North West North Dakota, offering front- and rear-loads for trash service, residential 96-gallon totes, as well as open-top roll-offs. With 42 employees, Circle Sanitation is a third-generation hauler, with the company being started by the current owner’s grandparents in 1980. Circle Sanitation has been working with Rubicon since 2012.
Circle Sanitation’s Co-Owner, Trina Holter, sat down with Rubicon to talk about her company and mission for the Haul of Fame.
How does Rubicon’s mission to end waste match-up to Circle Sanitation’s own company mission?
Circle Sanitation: Circle Sanitation has always tried to evolve as a company, so if the trend went to zero waste, we would make the necessary changes to convert to recycling or processing waste in other ways. For now, we focus on helping out customers by removing their waste as efficiently as possible; recycling it whenever possible.
How does Circle Sanitation distinguish itself from the competition?
Circle Sanitation: We are extremely accessible and accountable to our customers. We constantly evaluate how we can provide our customers with a better service, and generally how we can find greater efficiencies in our services.
What is the view of Circle Sanitation when it comes to participating in the circular economy and helping build a more sustainable future?
Circle Sanitation: Due to the proximity of being in the north central part of a rural state (North Dakota), there are severe challenges in providing recycling services. With that said, our message to the public has always been to reduce waste and reuse items whenever possible. For years we have partnered with companies to recycle various materials such as cardboard, paper, and metals, even when recycling options for these materials have been limited.
What do you love most about the community in which you work, and the customers you serve?
Circle Sanitation: We serve many communities through municipal bids and customers that are located outside of those communities. What we love the most is the resilient spirit of the people who care about the communities they live in and appreciate the consistent quality service provided by our company.
Where does Circle Sanitation see itself five years from now?
Circle Sanitation: With Circle Sanitation being operated by the second and third generations of our family, we have experienced substantial changes in the industry throughout our nearly 40 years in business. We strive to be flexible and adaptable to changes that may happen in the future.
In the next five years, we see Circle Sanitation serving a broader customer base and finding efficiencies that benefit our customers and further position us for a competitive advantage. We see more opportunities for growth within our current footprint that will increase our market share as well as new areas that will expand our footprint.
Lori Sullivan is Vice President of Hauler Operations at Rubicon. To stay ahead of Rubicon’s announcements of new partnerships and collaborations around the world, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, or contact us today.
