Bin worker

Bin workers collect household and commercial waste for disposal or recycling.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a bin worker, you could:

  • collect rubbish and recycling from homes or businesses
  • use a lifting mechanism to empty waste into the bin lorry
  • operate a waste compactor to crush loads
  • sort recycling boxes at the kerbside
  • drive a bin lorry safely
  • help unload waste at landfill sites or recycling facilities
  • record the amount of waste collected

Working environment

You could work in the community or at a waste recycling site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding and dirty.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience and training, you could become a bin crew team leader or supervisor.

You might also train to become a:

  • refuse collection lorry driver
  • waste management co-ordinator
  • recycling officer

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be over 18 years of age

You'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence to apply for jobs that include driving the bin collection lorry.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

You could apply to do a Waste Resource Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship typically takes a year to complete and is a mix of training on the job and off-site learning.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

You can apply directly to job vacancies through your local council, employment agencies and waste management companies.

Employers set their own entry requirements but you'll be expected to be physically fit and a good timekeeper.

Career tips

Shift allowances, overtime and driving duties can increase take home pay.

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This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.