Recycling operatives work in recycling centres and sort glass, paper, cardboard, plastics, metals and textiles for saving and making into new products.

The Work

You could be:

• showing members of the public to the correct bays to deposit their recyclable items
• sorting through waste materials for recycling in the yard or warehouse
• hand picking items off a sorting conveyor belt, inspecting them for contamination
• operating equipment such as guillotines or machinery that make bales (large bundles of packages or cartons tied with ropes or wires)
• checking the machines or air jets which separate paper from plastic bottles, tins and cans
• separating plastic bottles into two types by hand and putting them into machines to make bales
• sending the containers of materials to be recycled into new products
• keeping the site clean and tidy
• recording site usage, movement of materials and other relevant paperwork.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organization you work for
• the demand for the job.

Pay may start from around £8.21 an hour, but may rise to around £9.00 with experience.

A supervisor may earn around £22,000 to £25,000 a year.

Conditions

• You will sometimes work indoors at a conveyor belt or work with production machinery.
• At other times, you will be working outside in all weathers, sometimes moving around large items or materials.
• With some companies you might work 12-hour shifts, others you will work normal hours 5 days out of 7.
• You have to wear safety clothing including strong gloves.
• You might have to work with hazardous and toxic waste.
• Your working environment will be dusty, noisy and smelly.
• You might have to work at heights or in confined spaces.

Getting In

• A good general education is useful.
• You might need a full driving licence.
• You must be fit as the work is physically demanding.

You could find work with a local council on a civic amenity (CA) site or specialist recycling company. You can search for jobs on the local authority website www.myjobscotland.gov.uk.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland

  Scotland

2022

5245

0.3 %

RISE

2027

5263

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to be:

• aware of waste recycling importance
• able to follow instructions closely
• able to complete paperwork
• able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• friendly and polite when dealing with customers
• honest and reliable
• aware of health and safety
• able to work on your own or as part of a team.

Training

• Training is normally on the job.
• At first you will work with an experienced recycling operative until you are able to work on your own.
• You might train to operate fork lift equipment.
• You might do a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) such as Waste Operations.

Getting On

After gaining experience, you could move on to be a team leader or waste management officer.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.