Refuse Collection Driver
What is the work like?
As a refuse collection driver, your job would be to take household and business waste away for disposal or recycling.
You would lead a small team of refuse collectors, which would visit a different area on each day of the week to collect the rubbish left out by householders and businesses. You would then drive the collection vehicle to a tip, landfill site or recycling depot.
Your key tasks would include:
- making routine maintenance checks on the lorry before you set out
- driving the lorry slowly, stopping often and keeping pace with the loaders
- manoeuvring the lorry in and out of tight spaces when necessary
- making sure that people are clear of the lorry before crushing starts
- driving the lorry to the disposal site for unloading
- supervising the team of loaders.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a refuse collection driver.
You must be aged 21 or over, and you must have an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) licence. Some employers may pay for your LGV training if you are currently working as a refuse collector and want to progress to become a driver. See the Large Goods Vehicle Driver profile for more information.
What further training and development can I do?
You would be trained on the job by your employer. Your training is likely to include health and safety, manual handling, and how to operate the vehicle's crushing mechanism.
You may get the chance to achieve the following work-based qualifications:
- NVQ levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Waste Management Operations
- NVQ levels 1 and 2 in Recylcing Operations
- NVQ Level 3 Waste Management Supervision.
NVQs levels 3 and 4 are suitable if you progress into supervisory or waste management jobs. See the Energy & Utility Skills website for a list of training providers.
Where can I go for more information?
9 Saxon CourtSt Peter’s Gardens
Marefair
Northampton
NN1 1SX
Tel: 01604 620426
3 The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7HE
Tel: 01604 231950
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- You would usually earn between £15,000 and £20,000 a year.
- This could rise to up to £25,000 a year with management responsibilities.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your typical working week would be between 6.30am/7am and 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. You may sometimes need to work at weekends or on public holidays, and overtime may be available.
You would spend most of your time in the cab of your lorry, but may need to spend some time outside in all weather conditions. You would be provided with safety clothing including reflective jackets and heavy duty gloves.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good driving skills
- good levels of concentration and observation
- patience
- a polite and professional manner with the public
- the ability to work as part of a team
- an awareness of health and safety.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for a local council, or for a private waste management company under contract to a council. You could also work for one of the growing number of commercial recycling companies.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, employers' websites and the LG Jobs website (link opens a new window).
With experience, you could progress to team leader or supervisor. With further training you could become a waste management officer or recycling officer – for more information, see the related profiles and the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) website.
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