We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matt Fitch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Matt, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge to profitability in the waste management consultancy industry is the constantly evolving landscape of regulations, waste management technologies, and public perceptions.

As a sustainability-focused firm, we have to stay up-to-date with these changes, which can sometimes involve significant investments in research, technology, and training.

One story that illustrates this challenge for us is when the City of Austin introduced The Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) which supports Austin’s zero waste initiative.

The program involves specific guidelines and requirements for businesses to segregate and dispose of their waste, recyclables and compostables materials.

As a consultancy firm, we had to quickly adapt and modify our existing services to cater to these new regulations.

Our team had to invest time and resources into understanding the new guidelines, upgrading our waste stream audits and data analysis processes, as well as providing updated training and educational materials for our clients. This required a considerable amount of effort and investment, which impacted our profitability in the short term.

However, overcoming this challenge has ultimately made us more adaptable and knowledgeable, enabling us to better serve our clients and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing industry.

It is crucial for us to strike a balance between staying current and maintaining profitability, while ensuring that we continue to promote sustainability and responsible waste management practices for our organization and our clients.

Matt, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the Founder And CEO of both iHaulJunk, Inc. and ManageMyTrash.com (MMT).

My journey into the waste management and sustainability industry began with iHaulJunk, a national chain of junk removal operators that I started in Austin.

Over the years, we have grown into a network of more than 250 independent haulers across North America.

At iHaulJunk, we focus on salvaging, recycling, repurposing, and reusing materials whenever possible, and this experience has given me over a decade of insights into how sustainability can impact profitability.

As I witnessed the significant amount of waste generated by businesses during my time at iHaulJunk, I became motivated to establish ManageMyTrash, a sustainability-focused waste and recycling consultancy firm.

Our mission at MMT is to work with businesses across North America, helping them achieve sustainability goals by reducing or eliminating waste and promoting zero waste and circular economic principles.

Our services include waste stream audits, data analysis, training, and educational resources for our clients and their employees.

We aim to help them understand the value of adopting sustainable practices and their applications, ultimately solving the problems of waste generation and improper waste management.

What sets us apart from others is our hands-on experience in the industry, our commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest regulations and technologies, and our dedication to promoting sustainable practices.

I am incredibly proud of the positive impact we have made on businesses and the environment by helping clients implement effective waste management strategies.

I want potential clients and followers to know that our work at ManageMyTrash is driven by a passion for sustainability and a genuine desire to make a difference.

We are committed to providing practical solutions and tailored approaches to help businesses achieve their sustainability goals while ensuring that they remain profitable and competitive in their respective industries.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As the founder and CEO of iHaulJunk and ManageMyTrash, I’ve utilized social media to build a strong network of independent haulers and engage with clients and like-minded individuals.

The process of building our audience on social media began with a clear understanding of our target audience, their needs, and the unique value we could provide.

Here’s a summary of the approach I took to build our social media presence:

Defining our brand identity: We made sure that our brand values and mission, which revolve around sustainability, professionalism, and environmentally-friendly practices, were clearly reflected in our social media profiles and content.
Creating valuable content:

We consistently shared content that was relevant, informative, and engaging for our target audience. This included industry news, tips for waste management, success stories, and updates about our services.

Engaging with our audience: We made an effort to interact with our followers and other businesses in our industry, responding to comments, answering questions, and participating in discussions to foster a sense of community.

Leveraging existing relationships: By connecting with professionals we already knew and encouraging them to share our content, we were able to grow our network more organically.

Utilizing groups and industry-specific platforms: We joined social media groups and platforms dedicated to waste management, recycling, and sustainability, which allowed us to connect with individuals who were genuinely interested in our services and the values we represent.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, I would offer the following advice:

Understand your target audience: Know who you want to reach and tailor your content to their needs and interests.

Be authentic and true to your brand: Showcase your brand values and mission in everything you do on social media.

Consistency is key: Post regularly and maintain a consistent voice and aesthetic across your profiles.

Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages, participate in discussions, and actively build relationships with your followers.
Analyze and adapt:

Track your social media performance and adjust your strategy based on what works best for your audience and business goals.

Remember, building a strong social media presence takes time, effort, and patience. Stay committed to your goals, be persistent, and continue to refine your approach as you learn and grow.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn from my experiences in the waste management industry was the notion that I had to maintain control and strive for perfection in every aspect of the business.

The backstory to this realization stems from the growth of iHaulJunk and the subsequent establishment of ManageMyTrash.

As iHaulJunk expanded and our network of independent haulers grew, I found it increasingly challenging to oversee every detail and ensure the same level of service I expected from myself. This led to the understanding that I needed to trust in a system that could provide our haulers with the necessary training and resources to uphold our high standards.

By letting go of the need for complete control and perfection, I focused on creating a comprehensive and effective training program for our haulers. This allowed them to become more self-sufficient and consistently deliver the level of service our clients expect. It also helped me prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and better manage the demands of running two businesses.

Unlearning this lesson has ultimately led to a more efficient and sustainable business model, fostering the growth of both iHaulJunk and ManageMyTrash while maintaining our commitment to sustainability and exceptional service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://managemytrash.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ManageMyTrash/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManageMyTrash/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattfitchihauljunk
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManageMyTrash/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MattFitch