Job market information
Finding out about waste management
The waste management industry is part of the energy and utility sector, represented by Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council, which also includes: power; gas; and water. The UK energy and utility sector employs an estimated 536,200 people.
The waste management industry covers the activities concerned with the collection, transport, treatment and final management of waste and recyclables. Once waste is generated from other sectors of the economy, it is collected and passed through a series of processes, which result in either valuable or non-valuable outputs. Non-valuable outputs, which consist of materials that are unsuitable for recovery and re-use, are either sent to landfill or incinerated to produce energy, heat or power. Valuable outputs (such as paper, glass, plastics, metals, etc.), once they have been dismantled and sorted, then leave the waste management industry.
Key facts:
- There are 141,000 people employed in the industry, which includes:
- 29,000 working in Integrated Waste Management Companies
- 60,000 in Public Waste Collection, Disposal Authorities and LAWDCs
- 45,000 in small medium enterprises involved in collection, processing and disposal
- 1,000 working in support services
- 3,000 contractors
- 2,000 in plant/equipment
- 1,000 others, including Regulators
- Women are concentrated in administrative and secretarial, sales and customer service roles.
- The age profile of the waste management industry is significantly older than average UK workforce.
- Around 900 new workers per year will be required by the industry between 2008 and 2017.
Jobs in the industry include: recycling officer; recycling operative; refuse operative; waste management officer; transfer station labourer; energy from waste engineer; environmental engineer; landfill gas; and energy from waste plant operator.
Entry and progression
It is recommended that entrants apply directly to an employer to secure employment or work experience. This can be supplemented with training such as an S/NVQ or college based qualifications that could lead to a nationally recognised qualification. There are a range of industry endorsed courses and foundation degrees, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
141,000 |
|---|
| Gender: |
82% male |
18% female |
|---|
| Around 18% of managerial employees are female, compared to around 34% across the UK |
| 72% of those in administrative and secretarial occupations are female |
| Only 15% of professionals and 31% of associate professionals are female |
| Age: |
The waste management industry has a considerably older workforce than the UK average, but in some specialist recycling and treatment operations, where the workforce is generally skewed towards associate professional occupations, the average age of the workforce is somewhat younger. |
|---|
| A small proportion of the energy and utilities sector workforce report having a disability. |
| An estimated 93-96% of the energy and utilities sector workforce is white. |
[N.B. Data derived from Energy & Utility Skills Labour Market Investigation of the UK Waste Management Industry, 2006 and Census of Population, 2001.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Around 900 new workers per year will be required by the industry between 2008 and 2017 with 16% of these needing to be graduates.
The demand for new workers will mainly be in the recycling industry. With landfill coming to an end, and significant advances being made in alternative waste disposal methods (e.g. recycling, incineration, energy from waste, etc.), new workers will be needed to design, operate and maintain these facilities. Although many of the new jobs will not require graduate-level skills, there will be strong demand for people with science and environmental skills and knowledge.
Skill requirements and shortages
The main skill shortages that exist in the industry are for: Logistics managers; Environmental scientists, technicians and engineers; Electrical fitters and engineers; and Mechanical engineers. Due to the lack of graduates and other suitably skilled people looking for employment in the industry, it is unlikely that these skills shortages will be resolved. Skills shortages are particularly severe due to the age profile of the existing workforce.
Occupational trends
The occupations where demand for new recruits will be largest include: kerb-side collector; sorter, picker, refurbisher; refuse/ recycling collection drivers; environmental technicians; and mechanical/ instrumentation/ electrical engineers.
There is evidence to suggest that individuals will need to be recruited to some of the higher-level technical and engineering occupations, as a high number of workers are due to retire within the next 10-to-15 years. Replacements may be difficult to find in sufficient numbers.
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are some 13,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 560 companies.
East of England – There are some 7,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 590 companies.
London – There are some 15,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 460 companies.
North East – There are some 7,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in around 210 companies.
North West – There are some 17,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 750 companies.
South East – There are some 17,500 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 650 companies.
South West – There are some 10,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 490 companies.
West Midlands – There are some 12,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 620 companies.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are some 10,000 people are employed within the waste management industry in the region in approximately 620 companies.
Salary levels
Average basic salaries (excluding overtime and bonuses) for a selection of occupations found in the industry include:
- Recycling/Refuse Disposal Manager £31,000
- Environmental Engineer £30,000
- Energy from Waste Engineer £30,000
- Assistant Waste Manager £29,000
- Recycling Officer £28,000
- Landfill Gas Technician £20-25,000
- Materials Buyer £18,000
- Refuse Operatives £18,000
- Energy from Waste Plant Operator £15,000
Starting salaries for young people and graduates entering the waste management industry range from £16,000 to £25,000. Graduates entering a company’s graduate programme can start on £21,000. Upon completion of training these salaries can increase to between £26,000 and £35,000, depending upon the occupation.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using EU Skills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
