One man’s trash is another man’s treasure — even in the case of hazardous waste.
Paul Bauer, president of Miller Environmental Corporation, shared insights on his career in the environmental industry during a recent WTC Talks event. WTC Talks is a monthly gathering that aims to connect the business community and share stories of trade and growth.
On Feb. 11, a crowd gathered at Shrugging Doctor Beverage Company to learn about lessons Bauer has learned at the helm of Manitoba’s only hazardous waste management company.
With more than three decades of experience in Canada’s environmental sector, Bauer has built and managed industrial landfills, hazardous waste transfer facilities and soil treatment sites across the country, while also contributing to more than 2,000 environmental remediation projects throughout Canada and the United States.
The company got its start in the 1980s as a Manitoba Crown corporation. In 1995, Miller Paving — which was already active in the waste management business through its Miller Waste Systems division — entered into a partnership with the provincial government to take control of the operating arm of the Manitoba Hazardous Waste Management Corporation.
In 2016, Bauer joined Miller Environmental, which specializes in processing hazardous chemical byproducts for reuse, reapplication or destruction. At the time, he owned his own environmental supply business when he received a call asking if he’d be interested in leading the hazardous waste processing company. He had previous experience in the industry and was eager to return to it.
“It was my true passion, something I love doing,” he said. “And I left it briefly to be on the periphery of the industry.”
The company’s south Winnipeg facility spans 167 acres and is fully licensed for collection and destruction of hazardous materials — one of only two such facilities in Canada.
“We have in-house processes for all the waste we collect — 96 per cent is managed in-house and four per cent gets sent out to other hazardous waste management facilities,” said Bauer, who earned a lifetime achievement award from the Manitoba Environmental Industry Association.
Immersed in entrepreneurial endeavours for more than three decades, Bauer notes that his interest in business first sparked in his younger years.
“I was a strange child,” said Bauer, adding that while other kids played make-believe as firefighters or police officers, he always wanted to role-play as a business guy — even though he didn’t quite know what it meant.
At the same time, he has always leaned towards leadership roles.
“From my youngest days to today, I was always the person that ended up being in charge — not because I demanded it, but it just kind of happened,” he said.
He came from a generation of latch-key kids who stayed out until the street lights came on and took control of their own activities. He suggested that this sense of independence might have helped to form the basis of leadership skills.
“I actually think that our generation was very, very lucky in a way,” he said. “The world was different.”
For other budding entrepreneurs, Bauer offered a few words of advice.
“In this small market, Winnipeg and Manitoba, do not burn a bridge,” he said. “Make your contacts, be open-minded, be respectful. You don't know where that's going to take you.”
Another secret to success is offering exceptional customer service, especially when it come to expanding into new markets. He encourages entrepreneurs to look beyond Manitoba, while also reminding them that it’s not an overnight process.
“We have to reach beyond our borders,” he said. “Otherwise, it’s very tough to be sustainable.”
If he could give some advice to his younger self at the start of his career, he knows what he might share.
“I might say to myself ‘Be a little more patient, but don’t be too patient.’”
And no matter what path an entrepreneur embarks on, Bauer stressed the importance of maintaining enthusiasm for the journey.
“I wanted to be in business doing something meaningful that I had passion for. … And to this day, my career has been blessed,” said Bauer, who knows the excitement of looking forward to Monday mornings to start his workweek.
“I would go anywhere, anytime and loved every minute of it.”
The next WTC Talks event will take place on May 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Low Life Barrel House. The event, sponsored by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, will feature the entrepreneurial story of David Peters from ConstructionClock.
