Schuylkill County’s new solid waste and recycling coordinator is 23 years old and recently received firsthand experience on how recycling actually is accomplished.

“It’s a great position. It’s a lot of eye-opening things,” Kyle Swetz said about the role.

He volunteered to sort recyclables at a King of Prussia waste sorting facility. He called the experience “humbling.” He wore appropriate safety gear such as gloves.

People discarded food, diapers and clothing among other items he sorted through on the line.

“I know somebody found a needle,” Swetz said.

Since the effort was for a waste study, he had to weigh and sort the materials.

“It really gives an appreciation for that work and the people who do that work,” he said.

Swetz applied for the county position previously held by Joe Scribbick who resigned in November to pursue other professional opportunities. Swetz started with the county March 15.

He is a 2016 Hazleton graduate and 2020 King’s College Wilkes-Barre graduate with. Bachelor of Science in environmental science. He lives in Hazleton, but plans to move to Schuylkill County.

His most recent job was a field inspector in Mechanicsburg where he inspected construction sites.

So far at the county, he assisted in completing a grant and did the recycling report for the county that is submitted to the state Department of Environmental Protection. In his role, he can assist municipalities, residents or haulers with recycling questions.

Commissioners ended the recycling program in the county. In January the last of the 16 recycling sites were dismantled. Commissioners approved recycling changes in November that require waste haulers to provide curbside recycling in the price of municipal waste collection service.

Swetz says he enjoys working for the county.

“I’m along for the ride. It could be forever. I enjoy coming to work every day,” he said.