Recycling operative
Recycling operatives collect, sort and recycle materials like glass, paper and plastics from homes and businesses.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day tasks you may:
- collect recyclable materials
- load and unload recycling collection vehicles
- use lifting machinery to help move and sort waste
- pick materials from a moving conveyor
- sort waste and remove non-recyclable items
- inspect materials for any contamination
- keep your work area clean and maintain equipment
Working environment
You could work at a waste recycling site or from a vehicle.
Your working environment may be dirty, physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With qualifications and experience you could move into a supervisory role at a waste collection site.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of public safety and security
- knowledge of recycling processes
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You can do an intermediate apprenticeship as a waste resource operative.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
You can apply to companies directly if you've got relevant skills and experience, for example from working in waste collection.
You may have an advantage if you've had forklift truck training or can drive a large goods vehicle.
Career tips
An employer may give you training on the job, for example to get your large goods vehicle licence.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a recycling operative from Energy & Utilities jobs and the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.