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Recycling operative
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£17,000 + per year
All sorts of materials can be recycled, including glass, paper, plastics, metals, tyres and textiles. As a recycling operative or kerbside collector, you would collect these recyclable materials from homes and businesses. If you care about environmental issues and have good customer service skills, this job could be ideal for you.
In this job you will also need to have a polite manner. You will need to be physically fit.
You don't need any specific qualifications to get into this job. You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme.
WorkDesc
The work
As a recycling operative, your job would include:
- emptying recycling boxes into the collection vehicle
- putting boxes back and making sure that you have left no litter behind
- using lifting machinery to help you during collections and deliveries
- checking that the right kind of materials have been put out for recycling
- sorting recyclables at the kerbside
- inspecting materials for any contamination
- speaking to members of the public about the recycling scheme
- helping the driver to manoeuvre the vehicle safely
- cleaning and maintaining equipment.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would generally work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with possible overtime when necessary. In many jobs you would start work very early in the morning.
This job can be physically demanding and most of your work would be outdoors in all weather conditions.
IncomeDesc
Income
Salaries can be between £17,000 and £19,000 a year. Supervisors and managers can earn £25,000 to £28,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You will be trained on the job under the supervision of experienced staff. Your training would usually include health and safety, understanding of recycling practices and benefits, manual handling and personal protective equipment. You would also be trained in customer service, as you would deal with the general public every day.
Your employer may also encourage you to achieve work-based qualifications, such as:
- Level 1 Diploma for General Recycling Operative
- Level 1 Diploma in Recycling Activities
- Level 2 Diploma for Sustainable Recycling Activities
- Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative
- Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Waste Collection Driver)
- Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Waste Collection)
- Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Team Leader)
- Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Waste Site Operative)
- Level 2 Certificate for Sustainable Waste Management Operative (Weighbridge Operative)
If you haven’t entered this role through an Apprenticeship, you may also have the opportunity to complete an intermediate level Apprenticeship.
You can find details of training providers from the Energy & Utility Skills website.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You will be trained on the job under the supervision of experienced staff. Your training would usually include health and safety, manual handling and protective equipment. You would also be trained in customer service, as you would deal with the general public every day.
Your employer may also encourage you to achieve work-based qualifications, such as:
- NVQ levels 1 and 2 in Waste Management Operations
- NVQ levels 1 and 2 in Recycling Operations.
You can find details of training providers from the Energy & Utility Skills website.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a recycling operative you should have:
- concern for the environment
- good communication and customer service skills
- the ability to work as part of a team
- a polite manner
- awareness of health and safety issues
- physical fitness and stamina.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Energy & Utility Skills 
Friars Gate
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
www.euskills.co.uk
Waste Management Industry Training & Advisory Board (WAMITAB)
Peterbridge House
3 The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7HE
Tel: 01604 231950
www.wamitab.org.uk
LGcareers
www.lgcareers.com
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You could work for a local council or for a private waste management company working under contract to a council.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, employers' own websites or specialist recycling industry websites.
With experience, you could progress to supervisor or manager, or you could become a recycling or waste management officer.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
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.
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.
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