Her Story
About Emily
Emily Smith is a Landfill Manager at Unified Disposal Partners in Brundidge, Alabama, where she leads operations for an up-and-coming regional landfill. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from Troy University, along with an associate's degree, she began her career in solid waste management in 2008. Her expertise spans landfill gas, landfill operations, and leadership, and she is known for guiding her teams through trust and respect in a male-dominated industry.
Her career began with an environmental internship at Coffee County Landfill, where she started as a landfill gas technician. Over the years she progressed through roles including Environmental Specialist and Landfill Manager with Coffee County Environmental Services, later serving as Landfill Gas and Renewable Energy Manager for Coffee County Landfill. She also gained valuable experience as General Manager at American Environmental Landfill in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, before returning to Alabama. Among her most notable achievements is the successful launch of a renewable natural gas facility for Coffee County.
Emily is a faculty member of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), where she teaches the manager of landfill operations course, and she is also a member of the National Waste and Recycling Association. Her dedication to the field earned her the 2025 Honeycutt Award, as well as a Solid Waste Award for Alabama. She credits her success to the grace of God and hard work, and she is respected as a leader who can always be counted on.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the grace of God and hard work. I stay motivated and work diligently, and I want to be known as someone who can always be counted on.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was to stand firm when I know I am right. I hold my position in every decision I make and never allow myself to be intimidated by the titles of others in the room.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Learn everything you can and build strong relationships along the way. Stand firm on the facts you know to be true, and do not be afraid. Make yourself so valuable that your employer would not want to replace you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The workforce is the biggest challenge and opportunity in our field. It requires managing new team members, working through the growing pains of a male-dominated industry, and adjusting to new attitudes when changing companies.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust is the value I hold most dear. I want the people in my circle to know I stand with them, that I have their back, and that I will always be truthful.
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