Recycling operative

You'd go to people’s homes and businesses and collect rubbish that can be used for a new purpose rather than being thrown away.

Your work would help people and industries re-use resources and reduce their impact on the environment.

You’d collect recyclable materials, such as:

• glass

• paper

• plastics

• metals

• textiles

You would:

• empty recycling boxes and wheelie bins into the collection vehicle

• put the boxes and bins back and make sure nothing has been left behind

• check that the right kind of materials have been put out for recycling

• sort recyclables at the kerbside

• use machinery to help you lift and sort items at the waste collection site and the recycling site

• work on the conveyor belt at a waste plant, sorting waste and removing non-recyclable items

• inspect materials for any contamination

• speak to members of the public about recycling schemes

• clean and maintain equipment

In some jobs you could also drive the waste collection vehicle.

You’d need to do a lot of lifting so fitness and stamina would be important. You’d also need to follow health and safety rules.

Green job 

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

• WAMITAB – Offers qualifications in waste management and recycling, cleaning, street cleansing, facilities management and parking

• Chartered Institution of Wastes Management – Professional organisation for people working in resources and waste management

• Energy and Utility Skills – UK authority on skills and workforce development in the energy and utilities industries

• WasteJobs – Find recycling job vacancies through GreenJobs