MASS Environmental Service

Why Outsource The Management Of Your Waste Services?

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Using an expert to support different parts of your business, is an expert way to manage your daily operations.

Many people hire accountants for their taxes. They utilize brokers for their insurance. They hire consultants for areas of their business that they need support in. For many businesses, one of those areas is waste management.

Why Waste?

Waste, recycling, and all the other services we offer can be confusing when they are outside of your area of expertise. Utilizing an expert to manage these programs for you gives you the opportunity to eliminate that confusion and streamline your processes. This frees up your time and energy to focus on the other areas of your business!

MASS provides management services for:

  • Non Hazardous Waste, Recycling, Organics
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Biomedical Waste
  • Grease Trap Services
  • Used Cooking Oil Collection
  • Confidential Shredding & Plastics Destruction

Save Time – By outsourcing the management of your waste services to MASS Environmental Services Inc., you will have a single point of contact for all of your waste diversion needs. This will save you time and make your operations management much simpler as we take care of these contracted services on your behalf.

Protect Your Business – MASS is an expert in the field of waste diversion. It is what we do all day long, and because of this, we know the ‘ins-and-outs’ of legislation, and are prepared to ensure your business is in regulatory compliance. This will protect you from the risk of violation notices and fines.

Control Costs – Operating a business is costly, there is no question. But when you come under the “MASS Umbrella” you have the benefit of receiving the ‘best-cost & best-service’ commitment that we’ve achieved on behalf of our clients through our nation-wide portfolio of business.

Rest Easy – If a Ministry of the Environment inspection occurs at your site, do you have the answers and documentation you need to present to them? If your location has a sudden event that causes increase in waste production, do you have a plan to handle the influx? MASS takes these concerns off your plate, and let’s you rest easy.

We’re On Your Side – When MASS is contracted to manage the waste programs for your business, we become your number one advocate. We are on your side! Your success is our success, and your problems will be our problems. This means we will work tirelessly to implement an immediate resolution, and you’ll always be able to count on our 24 / 7 / 365 team. MASS is reputed for reliability and accountability – and we are determined to keep it this way by maintaining our vested interest in the success of each of our clients. We protect you, look out for you, control your costs, and always ensure your staff are doing what’s right for your business AND the environment!

We Are Experts – If there is anything you are unsure of or have a question about, we will take care of it. Our goal is to ensure your programs are easy to understand and participate in, andto  educate, engage, and motivate your team so that they want to comply. When you are hiring a new employee, extensive knowledge in the field of work is one of the factors that makes them invaluable. This is the same style of extensive knowledge that we bring to the table, making us an excellent fit for your team!

It’s Good For Your Brand – In today’s day and age, your can be certain that your customers care about the environment. They expect you to do the same! Working with Canada’s leading solid-waste advisory company gives you the opportunity to do the right thing for planet earth, which will most definitely be music to your clients ears!

You’ll Have A Full Team Behind You –  MASS Environmental Services Inc. is made up of a team of professionals – each of whom will get to know your operations closely as we work with you on a daily basis. You’ll become familiar with our team and vice versa, and you’ll come to see that we are 100% committed to providing value to each of our clients on a daily basis.

Need We Say More?

If you still have questions, or aren’t clear on how this works, visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page, or Contact Us today to get started.

MASS Environmental Services Inc. is a forward-thinking company built on investing in the future. We believe that change begins with just one step, and we walk side-by-side with our clients each and every day to take theirs.

What Happens If You Don’t Manage Your Waste

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He who every morning plans the transaction of the day and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the maze of the most busy life. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidence, chaos will soon reign.” – Victor Hugo

Just like your time; your waste must be managed. If not, in the wise words of Victor Hugo, ‘chaos will reign.’ However, many of us don’t realize the importance of managing our waste until there’s a problem, and by that point it can be utterly overwhelming. That’s why MASS works with our clients to implement streamlined systems that prevent problems before they occur and proactively resolve them if they do. Why does this matter? Keep Reading.

Un-managed Waste In Chaos

If you don’t manage your waste, you are risking your liability.

As a business, did you know that you are responsible for absolutely everything that goes into your waste bin? That means you could be held accountable if your business places material that is banned from landfill in your garbage. Or maybe your staff have contaminated your recycling by putting non-recyclable material in it … Did you know that your service provider could issue you a very hefty fine? Violation of material bans and legislation is incredibly risky and could have a severe impact on your operational costs. This is why one of the most valuable benefits of managing your waste is that you are mitigating your liability.

It is important for businesses to be up-to-date with every legislation in their region at the municipal and provincial level. Upon development of a thorough understanding of this legislation, it is imperative to ensure the programs you have on-site meet or exceed these requirements. MASS considers Regulatory Compliance to be paramount in everything that we do. We work tirelessly to protect our clients by future-proofing their operations. We also track each of the programs our clients participate in, so that if there is ever an issue, we can provide documented validation proving that they are in compliance as required. This eliminates the risk of violation notices and fines, and ultimately reduces a lot of headaches down the road.

If you don’t manage your waste, you are risking major operational cost increases.

Protect Your Business From Increasing Costs

Across the country, landfill rates are increasing, surcharges are being issued, and recycling contamination fines are being charged to business in all industries. Business owners and operators who have well-managed waste programs are prepared to combat these obstacles control their costs. But if you don’t have a strong waste management plan, your business is at risk.

MASS utilizes industry-leading protective language in the contracts we negotiate on behalf of our clients. We negotiate exceptional rates and monitor programs with extensive care. Every single monthly invoice from our subcontractors to our clients is closely audited to ensure compliance with the master contract. It is imperative to ensure cost control in an era of massive change in the waste and recycling industry. If your waste program is not being managed, it’s not a question of whether or not you will be negatively
impacted by cost increases – but when.

If you don’t manage your waste, you are not doing your part.

Landfill space across Canada is running out. In Ontario alone, we will need to build 16 new landfills by 2050 if we do not change course. This means it up to us – as citizens, entrepreneurs, managers, employees, business operators, and more – to change the way we think about garbage. A strong waste management program focuses on Waste Diversion. This means considering what you could divert away from landfill and process through an alternative source (think: recycling or compost). If you do not have a good waste management program in place, chances are your business is sending a lot of unnecessary material to landfill.

We must each take responsibility for our environmental impact. We will all leave a footprint on this earth. It is your choice whether that will be a positive or negative one.

 

Wondering Where To Begin?

MASS Environmental Services Inc. has a proven track record of success working with businesses across Canada.
If you’re looking for an easy way to manage your waste, look no further!
Contact our team today for your no-charge, no commitment cost-savings analysis.
Or, if you’d just like to learn more, visit our FAQ Page by clicking here! 

5 Qs with Erik Varner

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In the spirit of celebrating our wonderful staff, we sat down with Waste Audit Technician, Erik Varner to learn more about him, and of course, share this with you! Keep reading for his answers to ‘5 Qs with Erik Varner.’

Mount Marcy

Q1. If you could describe a “day-in-the-life” of a MASS Waste Audit Technician in just three words, what would they be?

“Organics. Are. Everywhere”

When it comes to a day in the life of a Waste Audit Technician, you must be prepared to dig through plenty of food organics. Embrace the alone time you and those organics have together. You learn to become best friends with it. Your clothes and the organics will form a special bond that never really goes away. No seriously, the smell never goes away, just buy a new shirt and move on. And remember – every tonne of food-waste we send to landfill creates six metric tonnes of methane gas. The cause is bigger than ourselves. A good Waste Audit Technician never forgets this.

 

Q2. What has been the most rewarding moment of your work with MASS so far? 

For me personally, the most rewarding experience is when you finish a long streak of audits and then finish all the reports. You get to take a deep breath and know with confidence that you did a good job, and have made a difference. Then, it all starts over the next day, but it’s always a new and refreshing experience.

 

Fredericton, NB Waterfront

Q3. What have you learned or how have you changed since working for MASS?

I’m sure this goes for all employees at MASS: Once you start working here, you really have to learn to recycle properly. If not, be prepared for a barrage of people running around the office asking “Who threw the pop can in the garbage?!” and then you sit in your cubicle quietly contemplating all your life’s mistakes. You learn quickly that there are no excuses for bad waste diversion.

 


Q4. What do you like best about working with our clients?

I love working face to face with people to whom recycling is a new concept. That’s the best part. You get to educate people on how to know better, and then do better. The world needs more people who aren’t afraid to ask questions and try to make a difference.

 

Lake Ontario

Q5. What is the one thing about you that may surprise your co-workers and / or clients to hear?

I’m sure all of our clients would be surprised to hear that we really do love going through their garbage. There really is so much to learn about a location based on what goes into the waste and recycling. It’s fascinating work, and allows us to gather valuable data that can really make a difference!

For more about Erik and the rest of our team, CLICK HERE! 

MASS Environmental Services Inc. is a family owned and operated company built upon a value system of integrity and accountability. Our staff proudly exhibit these traits & make our company continually successful. Thank you to each of our team members for all that they do! 

5 Qs with Jesse Moring

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The Moring Family

Our Administration Manager, Jesse Moring has a big role to fill here at MASS! Since joining our team in October 2017, he has become a crucial asset to what we do. In his position, Jesse is responsible for Accounts Receivable and Payable, Human Resources, and Information Technology – which means that he keeps very, very busy!

When Jesse goes home at the end of the day, the busyness definitely doesn’t stop!  Jesse, and his fantastic wife Laurel are parents to three adorable young boys, and are actively involved in their community.

In recognition of all that Jesse does, we wanted to take this opportunity and celebrate him and his hard work.  Keep reading for “5 Questions with Jesse Moring,” and CLICK HERE to learn more about him and the rest of our team!

 

Q1. What first sparked your interest in working for MASS Environmental Services Inc.?

I first applied for after a recommendation that the Brown’s were looking to fill a position with someone with my skill set and background. The person who recommended the position to me also told me how wonderful the family is, which was great to hear. I quickly became interested in learning more. After meeting George and Marnie (our President and Vice-President), I started to really see how it could be a great fit. The passion they both show for their work is contagious, and after that first meeting, I was able to develop a better grasp of what MASS offers, and who MASS is as a team, and family, I knew it would be a fantastic place to work.

Q2. What do you like to do outside of work?

Lately, most of my ‘outside-of-work’ hours have been devoted to renovating our house. When we aren’t busy renovating, my wife, Laurel and I enjoy relaxing together and playing board games. Of course, this is all in-between taking the kids to their baseball and jujitsu practices. Parenting definitely keeps us busy!

Q3. When you envision how Canada will evolve as we move into the future, what do you hope to see change (in terms of waste, recycling, and environmental initiatives) for our country?

When I look to the future of Waste Diversion in Canada, I believe more people will become aware of their own impact. Individually, we each have a role to play, and we should be trying our hardest to minimize our footprints. I know a lot of people tend to think their individual environmental impact is too small to make a difference, but this could not be further from the truth. Large changes are made up of many smaller ones coming together. As Canadians, I hope we can shift our perspective to see that that every little bit helps, no matter how small.

Q4. What have you learned or how have you changed since working for MASS?

The world of waste and recycling is a system that is vital to everyone, but not something that many of us actually spend time thinking about.

The Moring Family

Since I have started working for MASS I have learned, and am still learning how this system operates. This is a part of each of our daily lives, and something we each should make an effort to become more educated on, in order to do our part for sustainability.

Q5. What is it like working in a family business?

Having a young family of my own, it is interesting to also get to experience the dynamic of working in a family business. My experience with MASS has really brought home what a “team” should be. Family is a huge part of who I am, and working in an environment where everyone is on the ‘same team’ in the way that a family is, is a very special experience, and one that I am glad to be a part of!

 

 

Compost 101 – It’s Not Rocket Science!

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The Rocket In-Vessel Composting System

Crazy for Compost

Our company founders George and Marnie Brown have been in business together since 2001. But beyond that, they’ve been married to one another for over 30 years. This means that when you combine their years of experience as both business partners and a married couple, you get an endless number of great stories – some of which have become “MASS Classics” – in the form of friendly tales and anecdotes that get told around the office on a regular basis.

One of the most popular stories that our team loves to hear revolves around George’s long-enduring love of compost. Yes …. You read that correctly. His love of compost.

Marnie often tells us stories about how George’s journey towards finding the right compost solution involved a LOT of experimentation. For years, George endeavored to find a system that we could provide to our clients which would allow them to create nutrient-rich compost on their own grounds. He envisioned providing our clients with the opportunity to develop their own closed-loop food waste system right on-site. Thus, he battled to find a way to find a compost system that would eliminate the issues of pests, vermin, and overwhelming odours.

Fortunately, Marnie is happy to report that along the way, George discovered a solution that creates nutrient-rich compost without the pests, vermin, and other unpleasantries that you might expect. That solution came in the form of the Rocket In-Vessel Composting System, a piece of equipment out of the UK, for which MASS is now the exclusive Canadian distributor.

And while George has been known to say “I’d rather smell compost than methane gas,” we have to say that the Rocket is a system that even those of us with the most sensitive noses can happily handle.

Giving Back to the Earth

Operations Manager, Alex Brown with a Rocket located at an Ontario Independent School

If you’ve had your finger on the pulse of the waste industry in Canada over the past couple of years, you’ve probably heard a lot about food-waste. Food-Waste regulations have been passed at both the regional and provincials level across our country, in places like Nova Scotia, Calgary, Metro Vancouver,  Victoria, BC, and more! Here in Ontario, we are awaiting the exciting implementation of Bill 151 as we gear up for a food-waste ban within the Institutional, Commercial, Industrial (ICI) Sector.  What this means is that businesses, restaurants, health care facilities, educational institutions, and more should be prepared with a solution in place to divert their food-waste from landfill. Whether this be through a commercial organics program or an on-site closed loop system, it is encouraging to know that participating in such an initiative truly is an investment in the future.

Composting enriches our soil, retains moisture, and keeps plants healthy. It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers which are related to pollution, and encourages the production of healthy bacteria and fungi. Most notably, compost reduces the methane emissions from landfills which allows you to minimize your carbon footprint. With all this being said, MASS encourages businesses across the country to consider a compost solution, as an opportunity to reduce your environmental footprint, future-proof your operations, and become a truly ahead-of-the-curve business.

At MASS, we are seeing a number of clients eagerly pursue the opportunity to implement an on-site closed-loop organics processing system. This entails an organics processing system, in the form of a Rocket Composter. Through this leading-edge equipment, businesses are able to create their own personal circular economy within their daily operations, within which they become responsible for all food generated and wasted at their location. Then, they are able to utilize the compost on-site, and give back to the earth.

Waste Audit Manager, Mac Brown, shows how easy the Rocket is to operate and maintain

Rocket Science

By controlling temperature, aeration, and moisture, the Rocket In-Vessel Composting System creates nutrient-rich compost out of your food-waste within a short 14-day period. Because the Rocket is a totally enclosed system, access to pests is prevented, and the high heat process destroys pathogens.

The compost created by the Rocket is crumbly and soil-like, containing all the trace elements need for healthy plant root generation.

Currently, Rocket Composters are in operation in a number of settings including: Independent Schools, Universities and Colleges, Health Care Facilities, Multi-Unit Residential Dwellings, Office Towers / Buildings, and more. MASS works closely with our clients in all sectors across Canada to find a Rocket Composter to suit their unique needs.

George Brown with a Rocket Installation in Metro Vancouver

Explore More

Looking to learn more? CLICK HERE to learn about the different Rocket models and send an email to: service@massenv.com for our guidance on determining which unit may be right for your location.

At MASS, we believe that each of us has the individual responsibility to give back to the earth. Composting is a truly effective way to do your part to mitigate your environmental footprint.

 

Lifelong Learning to Impact Change

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At MASS, our staff is made up of a wide array of unique and energetic individuals, each of whom bring something different to our team. One thing that we all seem to share in common is an eagerness to continue to grow our skill sets so as to ensure we provide our clients with the absolute best service possible. Recently, we have invested in our commitment to lifelong learning, and several of our staff members have received notable certifications which we’d like to congratulate them for!

TRUE Zero Waste Advisor

Our goal at MASS is to work with our clients on achieving their environmental goals through waste diversion and cost control. We believe that true sustainability also focuses on the cost impact of programs, and we are very proud to state that MASS clients save an average of 30% annually on their waste disposal costs, upon the implementation of the MASS methodology. As we continue to grow, we want to expand our capabilities as a team in terms of how we help our clients to reduce their waste.

This is why Mac Brown and Alex Brown recently completed the TRUE Advisor Certificate Program, providing them with the skills and tools to help our clients achieve their zero-waste goals. By developing an advanced understanding of zero waste values and policies, Mac and Alex can now work with clients to develop and implement waste reduction strategies and apply for certification as a TRUE Zero-Waste Facility. If you are looking to become certified as a Zero-Waste location, please contact our team to set up a consultation on what our team can do for you.

 

Recycling Council of Ontario Waste Audit Certification

Our team completes over 250 Waste Audits every single year, working with clients from coast-to-coast. As with everything we do, we are continuously committed to systems improvement. In that spirit, our Waste Audit Manager, Mac Brown, and Waste Audit Technician, Erik Varner recently became certified with the RCO (Recycling Council of Ontario) through their Waste Audit Workshop. This has allowed our team to further enhance what we do, providing added value to our clients on data compilation and more.

In the Province of Ontario, many businesses are mandated to complete an annual waste audit through the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Many additional businesses across the country opt to participate in an annual waste audit to verify what material they are sending to landfill, how they can do better, how they can control their costs, and more. This certification means that our team will support your location in application of 3R Certified Status through the RCO.

When our Audit Team arrives on site, our goals are to:

  1. ASSESS – Assess what is in your Waste Stream.
  2. IDENTIFY – Identify your company’s waste production policies.
  3. BASELINE MEASURE – Provide a Baseline Measure to improve your waste reduction work plan.

When we submit an audit report to our clients, we are committed to being a part of the solution to achieve your goals. We are not the type of company to hand you a report and expect you to impact change yourself. We measure your progress, and then manage your success. A Waste Audit is the best way to qualify and quantify exactly what is going into the waste and recycling at your location.

If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

As we continue to grow, we look forward to continuing to learn and develop as a team. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” We plan to continue using these lifelong learning opportunities to impact change on behalf of our clients.  Congratulations to our team members for their successful certifications! We look forward to working with our clients to further achieve their waste diversion goals.

3 Canadian Destinations That Remind Us Why This Earth Is Worth Protecting

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As a proudly Canadian company, we have the immense honour and privilege to work with clients from coast-to-coast to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill. We are proud to have an impact across the country, with clients spanning from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia. Knowing that we are making a difference for our clients and the planet gives us all the motivation we could ever need to keep pushing forward every single day.

But sometimes, everyone needs a little reminder of what we are all working towards when we choose the RECYCLE bin instead of LANDFILL, or when we opt to put our food scraps in the COMPOST container instead of WASTE.

Today, we are sharing with you three special places in Canada that serve as a reminder to our team of why we do what we do to preserve our environment and protect Mother Nature.

Peggy’s Cove

WHERE: Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia (located on the eastern shore of St. Margaret’s Bay).

WHO: Pictured here, one of the technicians from our audit team, Erik Varner, sits atop the famous rocks of Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. As an East-Coaster who was born in Nova Scotia, raised in New Brunswick, and maintains a strong sense of pride in his Maritime roots, Erik considers Peggy’s Cove to be one of the most powerful reminders of why our earth is worth protecting.

WHAT: Nova Scotia is fittingly known as the “Ocean’s Playground,” and Peggy’s Cove is no exception. The stunning natural beauty of the Peggys’s Cove Coastal Region is second-to-none, and has been formed by millions of years of history in the making. When molten material first bubbled up from the Earth’s interior more than 400 million years ago, the rocks of the Great Nova Scotia Batholith were formed.  Years of glacier migration, ocean tides, and moving ice ridges followed, shifting the landscape drastically and leaving behind the famous coast we now know today. If you visit Peggy’s Cove, you can see the marks left in the bedrock by the movement of glacial ice – a forever reminder of the natural history of this unforgettable spot.

Today, Peggy’s Cove has been declared a preservation area, and is a popular destination for tourists around the world. The famous Peggy’s Point Lighthouse is a ‘must-stop’ location for all visitors who wish to see the unparalleled beauty of the Atlantic coast

Cathedral Grove

WHERE:  Cathedral Grove, located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia

WHO: Cara Bentley is pictured here, taking in the breathtaking beauty of Cathedral Grove. With many members of her family located in BC, the province holds a special place in her heart, and her many visits to the Western Coast have inspired her deep passion for protecting our planet.

WHAT: Located in MacMillan Provincial Park, Cathedral Grove is an old forest, with some of the biggest trees that most visitors will ever see. The beautiful Douglas Fir Trees tower over you as you make your way through a network of scenic trails. Some of the trees in the grove are more than 800 years old, making this grove not only a pillar of natural beauty, but one of untold history from the centuries behind us.

Cathedral Grove is protected by the Provincial Park, keeping an internationally significant number of Douglas Fir trees healthy and safe, making it truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Tourists visit from around the country and abroad to get a glimpse of the famous forest, and to experience the feeling of magnificence that comes with standing next to one of nature’s giants – the biggest of which within the park measure 250 feet in height, and 29 feet in circumference.

Cobourg Beach

WHERE: Cobourg Beach, Ontario

WHO: Mac Brown, our Waste Audit Manager is pictured here admiring the shores of the Cobourg Beach, a place our entire team is grateful to call home

WHAT: Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Cobourg Beach draws tourists from all around the province and beyond. When the warm Ontario summers begin, there is no better place to be than at the beach. There are actually two main beaches in our little town – first, there is Victoria Beach which is kept groomed by the town and is located adjacent to Victoria Park. This is where most of the visitors go when the summer months arise. But there is also West Beach, a second beach in town in walkable distance from Victoria Beach. This one is left un-maintained and kept au-naturel, but is equal in its beauty. Both beaches are popular destinations for the MASS Team all summer long.

As huge fans of the beach we would also like to take this moment to gently remind all of our followers about doing your part to keep our shores clean and tidy this summer. Every year, we find broken pieces of plastic from discarded beach toys, take-out dining containers, clothing, cigarette butts, and more, washed up along the shoreline. We implore each of you to think about the material you bring with you to the beach, and make sure you bring it all home. Let’s keep our lake clean and waste free this year!

Bidding Adieu to Sibling Rivalry – 5 Tips from Alex and Mac Brown

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 As a family owned and operated business, MASS Environmental Services Inc. has been navigating the peaks and valleys of working side-by-side with the ones you love most since 2001. Today, the second generation of the Brown clan has become a key force within the company, with Mac (age 26) and Alex (age 25) both holding management roles based out of our Cobourg, Ontario headquarters.

Alex is our Operations Manager, which means she oversees the daily services for over 1,000 locations across Canada including Non-Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Waste, Confidential Shredding, Grease Trap Services, and Used Cooking Oil Collection. On top of this, she provides executive support in all contract negotiations, while managing our team of customer service coordinators who report to her.

Mac is our Waste Audit Manager, which means he leads the audit team to complete over 250 24-Hour Waste Audits each year from coast-to-coast. This requires consistent travel and strong client communication, followed by intensive data management in the report compilation when he returns back to the office. In addition, he provides executive support on business development, working on the continuous growth of MASS year-over-year.

In other words, … Mac and Alex are both busy young professionals with a lot on their plate. For many people, this could translate into stress, irritability, and the tendency to take it out on your easiest target. And who could be easier than a sibling? You grow up side by side as best friends one minute, and sparring the next! But somehow, Alex and Mac have found a way to put aside the complications that haunt many sibling relationships and make theirs work – in AND out of the workplace. Here’s how:

Tip # 1 – Never Forget Your Common Goals

“We both want the same things for the company, even when we don’t necessarily agree on how to get there,” shares Mac. Both Brown siblings agree that consistently reminding themselves that they both have the best interests of the company (and each other) in mind at all times, helps them to put traditional sibling rivalry on the backburner.

“When you are working towards the same end-goal, you are team mates. Team mates respect one another, and work cohesively to get to where they are going,” Alex adds, with Mac nodding along.

If you can share a common goal, and keep this in mind, you will always know the other person is on your side. Keeping this mindset at the forefront is key to eliminating rivalry.

Tip # 2 – Accept Your Natural Competitive Nature – & Embrace It!

“I think it’s natural for both of us to want to be the very best at whatever we are doing in any given situation,” Alex explains. “We are competitive by nature, and this can turn into a sort of sibling rivalry.”

But Alex and Mac have developed a unique mindset that allows them to reframe that sense of rivalry. Rather than rejecting it, they accept that a certain level of rivalry is healthy, and maybe even a good thing.

“If knowing Alex is doing well brings out a competitive side of me, and motivates me to push myself further, I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing,” adds Mac. “We use a healthy dose of sibling rivalry to hold ourselves to a certain standard We both expect ourselves to do well, so that we can live up to the bar that the other has set. It’s cyclical, and keeps us moving onward and upward.”

Tip # 3 – Just Say “No” to Resentment

Accepting a certain level of sibling rivalry is all well and good, but what do you do when it escalates? Mac and Alex have a simple but effective strategy. They simply say “No” to resentment, and insist upon enjoying one another’s successes.

“In our situation, we’ve both learned to control our emotions. We’ve learned to reject feelings of negativity or jealousy that could arise in seeing someone else succeed,” Mac explains. “We just don’t let ourselves feel that way,” Alex adds, elaborating, “We make the choice to be happy for one another every single time we achieve something exciting, no matter how small.”

By enjoying one another’s successes, rather than being envious, Mac and Alex have found a way to multiply the joy that comes with achieving their goals, creating a stronger bond of comradery as both co-workers and family.

Tip # 4 – Third Party Accountability Checks

Disagreements are natural in a sibling relationship, especially one where you are working together every single day. However, if they do disagree about how a certain project should be approached, Mac and Alex typically are able to communicate openly with one another to find a resolution. If this doesn’t happen, however, they have a solution.

“As young adults, we obviously do not want to have to go to our parents about our disagreements on a regular basis, however in the rare situation that we cannot come to an agreement, we’ve learned that talking it out with them as a neutral third party can be the exact mediation tool we need to find a solution,” Mac says.

“Exactly,” Alex agrees. “Our parents are great about not feeding us the solution directly, but instead just being an open listening ear that allows us to voice our concerns in a neutral environment. Having a neutral third party to hold us accountable really helps in the rare situation where we cannot figure it out for ourselves.”

Tip # 5 – Have Fun Together

‘All work and no play’ is a recipe for disaster. With siblings, it is important to have fun together and reconnect – after all, they were probably your first playmate as a child, and there’s no reason you can’t let loose together and have fun as friends now too!

“It’s essential for me that Alex and I never allow our relationship become one of just co-workers. She’s my sister first, and I never want to lose sight of that. So scheduling in time together outside of work to enjoy one another’s company is really important to keep our relationship strong and healthy,” Mac explains.

Alex clearly agrees, stating: “Spending time with one another outside of the office allows us to come back to work feeling positive and refreshed. Laughing together, and having fun together is key to working together, and being productive together. They go hand in hand.”

 

And there you have it! Mac and Alex Brown, our Waste Audit Manager, and Operations Manager from MASS Environmental Services Inc. have shared their tips for working cohesively and cooperatively as both siblings and co-workers in a close-knit environment. Do you have any ideas on how to maximize either your work or family relationships? Leave a comment below and let us know what has worked for you!

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