Refuse Collector
What is the work like?
As a refuse collector or loader, it would be your job to remove waste from homes and businesses and take it away for disposal or recycling.
You would work in a small team with a few other refuse collectors and a driver. Your team would visit a different area each day of the week to collect the rubbish left out by householders and businesses. Your key tasks would include:
- moving bags, wheelie bins and recycling bins and boxes
- using a lifting mechanism to tip the rubbish from bins into the lorry
- throwing plastic bags into the back of the lorry
- working the controls to crush the rubbish
- sorting recyclable materials at the kerbside
- guiding the driver to move the lorry safely around the streets
- helping to unload the rubbish at tips or dumps.
You may also need to collect large items like furniture, or dispose of dangerous substances such as chemicals or clinical waste from hospitals.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any qualifications to become a refuse collector.
You must usually be aged 18 or over, for health and safety reasons.
What further training and development can I do?
You will be trained on the job by your employer. Your training is likely to include health and safety, manual handling, and the disposal of dangerous objects.
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 Recycling Operations
- NVQ Level 3 Waste Management Supervision.
NVQs at 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.
If you gain an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) licence you could progress to become a refuse collection driver. Some employers may pay for your LGV training (see the Large Goods Vehicle Driver profile for more details).
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
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries can be between £11,000 and £17,000 a year.
- This can rise to between £18,000 and £25,000 a year for supervisors and team leaders.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
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 need to work outdoors in all weather conditions. The work is active and involves bending, lifting and carrying heavy bags and bins. You would be provided with safety clothing including reflective jackets and heavy duty gloves.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- physical fitness and stamina
- the ability to work well in a team
- a polite and professional manner with the public
- a hardworking and responsible attitude
- awareness of health and safety
- the ability to work quickly and cleanly.
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 job profiles and the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) website.
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