Waste & Recycling — Fractional COO & Operations Consulting

From the frontline
to the bottom line.

I help waste and recycling organizations stop financial leaks, optimize operations, and build scalable systems that drive real profitability — with a perspective most consultants simply don't have.

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9+

Years Leadership

$44M

MRF Commissioned

$534K

EBITDA Turnaround

About Isaac Rivas

I started as a driver.
I rose to the C-suite.

That frontline-to-boardroom journey is exactly what makes my consulting different. I've managed full P&L responsibility, led teams of 150+, and personally oversaw the construction and commissioning of a $44M material recovery facility in Calgary — from groundbreaking to full operation.

I know where the money leaks. I know how to stop it. And I know how to build the operational systems that keep it from happening again.

COO Experience
P&L Ownership
Capital Projects
MRF Specialist
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Isaac Rivas
Services

Where I can move the needle

Five focused engagement types built specifically for waste and recycling operations — priced by project, not by the hour.

01
🎯

Fractional COO

Ongoing senior operational leadership embedded in your business. I work 2–3 days per week driving accountability, efficiency, and profitability — at a fraction of a full-time COO cost.

$8,000–$12,000 / month
02
📊

Financial Leak Audit

I review your P&L, variance reports, and cost categories to identify your biggest leaks, quantify their dollar impact, and hand you a prioritized action plan — within 30 days.

$8,000–$12,000 / project
03
📋

Equipment Cost Audit

Line-by-line invoice review against your contracts. I find overcharges, recover credits, and build the verification process to make sure it never happens again.

$3,000–$5,000 / project
04
📈

KPI System Build

I design and implement the dashboards and accountability frameworks your leadership team needs to catch problems in real time — not at month end.

$6,000–$10,000 / project
05
🏗️

Capital Project Advisory

From CapEx evaluation to full commissioning — I guide major equipment and facility investments with the hands-on experience of a $44M MRF build in Calgary.

$6,000–$10,000 / project
Pricing

Project-based. No hourly billing.
No surprises.

Every engagement is scoped and priced upfront so you know exactly what you're getting and what it costs — before we start.

Most Popular

Fractional COO

$8K–$12K
per month

Ongoing COO-level leadership embedded in your operation. 2–3 days per week, driving accountability and profitability every week.

  • Weekly operational reviews
  • P&L and variance oversight
  • KPI tracking and reporting
  • Team accountability systems
  • Direct access to Isaac
Get Started

Project Engagements

From $3K
fixed fee per project

Defined scope, fixed price, clear deliverables. No hourly billing, no scope creep surprises.

  • Financial Leak Audit — $8K–$12K
  • Equipment Cost Audit — $3K–$5K
  • KPI System Build — $6K–$10K
  • Capital Project Advisory — $6K–$10K
Get Started

Advisory Calls

$300–$400
per hour

For existing clients or operators who need a specific question answered fast — without a full engagement.

  • One-off operational questions
  • Contract or bid review
  • Equipment decision support
  • Budget or forecast review
Get Started
Track Record

Results that speak for themselves

Real outcomes from real operations — not theoretical frameworks.

$534,074

EBITDA Turnaround

Reversed a -$232,901 prior-year deficit to $301,173 actual — beating budget ($85,780) by $215,393 and delivering a $534,074 year-over-year swing through cost control, KPI accountability, and strategic CapEx decisions.

$243,575

Cost Savings Delivered

Identified and executed operational improvements that generated $243,575 in documented cost savings — through equipment upgrades, workflow optimization, and waste elimination.

$44M

MRF Commissioned

Managed full construction and commissioning of a material recovery facility in Calgary, Canada — on time and fully operational.

Industries I Serve

If you run it, haul it,
sort it, or sell it — I speak your language.

My experience is built specifically in the waste and recycling industry. I know the margins, the equipment, the KPIs, and the challenges that are unique to your operation.

🚛

Waste Hauling

Route efficiency, driver accountability, fleet CapEx decisions, and P&L management for hauling operations of all sizes.

🏭

MRF Operators

Material recovery facility throughput, commodity loss prevention, equipment upgrades, and EBITDA optimization — from someone who commissioned a $44M MRF.

♻️

Recycling Companies

Operational workflow design, sorter accountability, residue reduction, and financial systems built for the realities of commodity markets.

🌿

Mulching & Green Waste

Equipment cost audits, vendor contract analysis, and operational efficiency for organic waste processors and green waste facilities.

🏗️

Transfer Stations

Throughput maximization, staffing structure, safety compliance, and cost-per-ton reduction across transfer station operations.

📦

Industrial Waste

C&D waste, industrial byproduct management, and operational consulting for companies managing complex waste streams at scale.

How It Works

A clear path from challenge to result

01

Discovery

A direct conversation about your operation, your numbers, and where you feel the pain — no fluff, no jargon.

02

Diagnosis

I get into your P&L, your workflows, and your cost structure to find the leaks and the leverage points.

03

Strategy

A focused roadmap with clear priorities — what to fix first, how to fix it, and what it's worth to your EBITDA.

04

Execution

Hands-on implementation alongside your team so the changes stick and your people own the results long-term.

What Others Say

Trusted by leaders in the industry

From executives who worked alongside Isaac to clients who've seen his results firsthand.

Isaac Rivas is a strong, dependable leader who brings professionalism, operational expertise, and a consistent ability to get results. One of the clearest examples of his leadership was how quickly he turned around the struggling Houston MRF in just a few months while gaining the strong respect of the current reporting leadership under him. He leads with accountability, communicates well, and earns the trust of those around him. He would be an asset to any organization.

JR
John Rabon
Executive in Environmental Services
FCC Environmental Services
✓ Senior to Isaac — Direct Observation

Isaac is one of the strongest operational leaders I've partnered with in the recycling industry. He has a deep understanding of Single Stream MRF operations — from inbound material flow and processing performance to labor optimization and contamination management. His expertise in budgeting goes well beyond cost tracking. What sets Isaac apart is his ability to connect the floor to the P&L. He understands that performance in a Single Stream MRF is a direct function of people, process, and discipline. Any organization operating in the recycling space would benefit greatly from Isaac's operational depth, financial discipline, and commitment to continuous improvement.

JB
Jeffrey Bailey
Vice President, Business Development
Leadpoint Business Services
✓ Client — FCC Houston MRF
Contact

Let's talk about your operation

Whether you're dealing with a specific financial challenge, planning a capital project, or looking for ongoing operational support — I'd love to hear what you're working through.

✉ metricflowconsulting@gmail.com in linkedin.com/in/isaac-rivas 📍 Houston, TX
I typically respond within 24 hours.

Message received.

Thank you for reaching out. I'll be in touch within 24 hours.

Free Resource

5 Signs Your Operation
Has a Financial Leak

Most GMs don't find out they're bleeding money until the month-end report lands on their desk. By then it's too late.

This free guide shows you the 5 warning signs I look for in every operation I consult — and what to do about each one before it kills your EBITDA.

  • The budget variance sign most GMs ignore
  • Why your residue belt is a cash leak
  • The CapEx vs OpEx mistake draining your margins
  • Labor cost signals hiding in plain sight
  • The equipment rental red flag I find in 9 out of 10 audits

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