Zero-Waste Operations Associate

CookUnity; Atlanta, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

CookUnity in Atlanta seeks a dedicated Waste Operations Coordinator to handle daily waste audits, recycling, composting, and donation management at the Austin facility. You will lead zero-waste initiatives, guide staff on correct sorting, and coordinate partner donations.

Responsibilities include walk-throughs, contamination checks, and coordinating the sale of surplus meals via Too Good To Go, with a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Operational Experience: Previous experience in warehouse, food production, cleaning, or other hands-on operational roles.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift and move 20 lbs or more throughout the shift.
• Basic Reporting Skills: Ability to complete daily trackers and simple audit forms.
• Communication Skills: Ability to give clear feedback to staff and communicate deviations or contamination findings in Spanish and English.
• Interest in Waste Reduction: Genuine interest in recycling, composting, waste diversion, or environmental practices (no prior experience required).
• Language: Basic English required; Spanish is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Daily Waste Audits: Perform daily bin audits across all kitchens and document findings.
• Correct Waste Disposal: Ensure proper waste disposal procedures are followed in all kitchens.
• Overproduction Processing: Classify, weigh, and process overproduced food—route to charity, compost, or reuse.
• Food Waste Handling: Classify, weigh, and dispose of food waste including donations and compost.
• Facility Walkthroughs: Daily walkthroughs of kitchens and market areas to identify contamination in recycling/compost streams.
• Contamination Control: Check streams to ensure they are free of incorrect materials.
• Material Sorting: Separate and move recyclable and compostable materials.
• Donation Management: Collect, weigh, record, and pack donations; hand off to partners.
• Donation Coordination: Coordinate donation pick-ups with non-profits.
• Walk-In Raw Ingredient Collection: Support weekly walk-in collection — pulling, logging, sorting recoverable ingredients.
• Too Good To Go Sales: Coordinate sale of surplus meals on Too Good To Go — setup and logging.
• Return Packaging Program: Coordinate logistics to send packaging off-site for cleaning.
• Daily Reporting: Complete daily trackers for recycling, compost, and donation volumes.
• Zero Waste Compliance: Follow safety, cleanliness and Zero Waste standards.
• Operational Feedback: Provide daily feedback to staff on waste-sorting.
• Green Leader Support: Support team as a Green Leader promoting Go Green practices.
• Waste Diversion Supplies: Ensure stations have supplies for proper waste diversion.
• Green Station Maintenance: Coordinate with cleaning to keep stations clean.

Skills

Operational Experience

Physical Ability

Reporting Skills

Communication Skills

Waste Reduction Interest

Bilingual Spanish-English

Tools

Google Docs/Sheets

Forklift operation

Pallet Jack

Job description

CookUnity in Atlanta seeks a dedicated Waste Operations Coordinator to handle daily waste audits, recycling, composting, and donation management at the Austin facility. You will lead zero-waste initiatives, guide staff on correct sorting, and coordinate partner donations.

Responsibilities include walk-throughs, contamination checks, and coordinating the sale of surplus meals via Too Good To Go, with a focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.