Cleanfarms/AgriRÉCUP: We are always learning
Author: Alison Zangrilli
Alison Zangrilli is a second year University of Waterloo Environment and Business student who spent her Fall 2023 co-op term with Cleanfarms.
In elementary and high school, I studied French. The teachers taught us to conjugate verbs, to describe our clothing, order food, talk about our weekend, and more. The classes were composed of listening, speaking, and writing exercises. I enjoyed being with my friends and learning a language in which I continued to improve over the years.
This past September, I took on the challenge of joining the Cleanfarms team as Business Assistant for the fall co-op term. As I’d hoped, it’s offered a world of learning opportunities, including one that I hadn’t entirely expected.
As I’m approaching the end of my time here, I realize how much I wish I had truly taken advantage of the language opportunities that were offered in high school! The importance of Canada’s both official languages are more pronounced, especially as Cleanfarms, known as AgriRÉCUP in Quebec, offers farmers more recovery and recycling programs over the next few years.
Cleanfarms collaborates with people across Canada and provides support in English and French. It hires bilingual employees, supports employees as they further their language skills and operates out of offices located in regions with staff that speak both English and French. This has really inspired me to continue learning French on my own recognizing that when I do, my career options will likely become endless.
My learning has not stopped there. I was introduced to the differences of recycling systems in Europe. A second language would really benefit my ability to connect with more people who are passionate about the environment.
Since joining Cleanfarms for my co-op term, I have continued to realize just how diverse Canada, and Canadian agriculture, really is. The fact that I never knew who was on the other side of phone when I handled our customer service lines was intimidating at first, but also exciting. One day I would be talking with a farmer from Comox, British Columbia, who was looking for options to recycle bale wrap and the next day I was helping an ag-retailer in Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, who needed help organizing a pickup of their empty bulk containers.
My time at Cleanfarms has also reminded me that there is so much diversity across Canada and so much more to learn. Whether it is different languages or sayings, varying farming practices or different styles of communication, the Cleanfarms team fosters a supportive environment full of people working to better themselves by learning new skills. We have weekly meetings where we share updates and extended workshops led by Barry Friesen (Executive Director) aimed at getting the team thinking more broadly.
The enthusiasm for learning and the guidance of my coworkers is going to motivate me to work harder to continue learning, whether in the lecture hall or wherever my career may take me.
