Solid Waste Outreach Team Spotlight: A Q&A with Chelsea Arey
In this edition of our Solid Waste Outreach Team Spotlight, we’re getting to know Chelsea Arey, an environmental education program coordinator and member of Wake County’s Solid Waste Outreach and Marketing Team. Chelsea leads the County’s litter cleanup initiatives and coordinates tours of the Sonoco Recycling facility, giving residents a firsthand look at how their recyclables are processed.
Getting to know Chelsea
Could you tell us about your work experience and how long you’ve been an environmental education coordinator?
I’ve always had a passion for environmental education. I started working with North Carolina State Parks as a seasonal employee and eventually became a full-time park ranger for a few years at Falls Lake State Recreation Area. As a park ranger, I had a wide variety of responsibilities, including environmental education, law enforcement and natural resource management. While there, I finished my North Carolina Environmental Educator certification. I enjoyed the environmental education aspect of my job the most, so I decided to leave the park service and join Wake County’s Solid Waste Outreach team. I’ve been here for 11 years now.
What is one of your favorite moments from leading a litter cleanup?
We hosted a cleanup at Walnut Creek Wetlands around Halloween one year. A large group of high school students came dressed in costumes for the cleanup. It was fun seeing everyone dressed up and excited to help clean up their community.
What are five words you would use to describe the people who volunteer for community litter cleanups?
Impactful. Caring. Selfless. Dedicated. Inspiring.
What was one of the most surprising things you’ve found during a litter cleanup?
A big mattress in a creek is one of the most surprising things I’ve found during a litter cleanup.
A closer look at recycling
Do you remember taking your first Sonoco Recycling facility tour, and how did it impact you?
I remember being amazed at all the machinery and how the recycling process works. It inspired me to want to increase the number of tours offered to residents to help raise more awareness about the recycling process. I want to encourage everyone to come see what the recycling process at Sonoco is like.
What is one of the most interesting questions or comments you’ve heard from someone who has taken a Sonoco Recycling tour?
Along with sorting facilities, Sonoco also creates packaging. There is a display case with examples of that packaging in the education room. I’ve had a lot of kids ask if we can open the can of Pringles on display. Visitors are also always interested in the craziest thing ever found on the sorting floor.
Since your time with Wake County, what have been some of your proudest moments?
I have given a lot of private and public tours at Sonoco Recycling over the past few years. I am proud of the increased interest in recycling and how much information I’ve been able to share with Wake County residents. I’m also proud of the growth I’ve seen in our litter kit checkout program. I hope to continue to grow both things in the future.
Looking toward a cleaner, more sustainable Wake County
What is one sustainability goal for the future of Wake County that you hope you can help with? And what is one thing you think residents could do that would help us toward that goal?
One goal I’m working on is developing new strategies for combatting and reducing litter in Wake County. Wake County residents can be conscious about litter by properly disposing of their trash, securing loads in their vehicles, using reusable items when possible, helping to share information with their friends and neighbors, and participating in litter cleanups. We have a litter kit checkout program for residents to conduct their own cleanups when they identify areas around them that need to be cleaned.
In your work, what is your biggest challenge and biggest motivator?
One of our biggest challenges is reducing the amount of litter. There are so many sources and factors that contribute to litter that it is a difficult problem to tackle. My biggest motivator is my desire to help protect Wake County’s environment now and for generations to come.
What is one message you hope residents take away when they see the recycling process and one challenge you would issue to Wake County residents for the next year?
One of the biggest issues in the recycling process is contamination. Wake County residents should look up what specific items are accepted by their municipality and make sure they’re only putting those items in their curbside recycling bins. Wake County also accepts a lot of other items at convenience centers around the county. Residents can look to see what is accepted at those.
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