Trent O’Neill turns recycling efforts into community support

For Trent O’Neill, giving back is a lifelong habit. And in the last five years, the locomotive engineer with NB Southern Railway has led a recycling initiative, turning bottles and cans into meaningful support for local families in the Saint John, N.B., community.  

Each week, Trent collects and redeems recyclables from the railway’s Saint John locations. On days when Trent is unavailable to collect bottles, Dan Firlotte, a rail technician, regularly steps in to help.  

“It adds up, and it’s for a good cause,” Trent said. 

The recycling program began about eight years ago and was originally led by another employee. When the original lead retired, Trent stepped in to carry it forward and grow its impact by donating the proceeds to PALS Holiday Hampers, creating value that reached even further. 

“It would do good for the environment and the community,” Trent said of his decision. “It was a win-win situation.” 

Holiday Hampers is a company-wide initiative of J.D. Irving, Limited that involves filling over 120 totes with essential items and delivering them to local families in need. This past year alone, Trent’s recycling program raised nearly $3,000 towards the initiative, funding eight holiday hampers. After the bottles were redeemed, Trent brought the funds back to the railway, where the office team shopped for items. 

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone,” Trent said. 

Since Trent took over the program, the annual total raised has grown from about $2,000 to nearly $3,000, allowing support for more families each year. 

“At first, we were helping about six families,” Trent said. “The last couple of years, it was eight.” 

As Trent approaches retirement, the recycling initiative stands as part of his 30-plus-year legacy. It is a reminder that small, consistent actions can create lasting benefits for both the community and the environment.