Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Helpers--Production Workers
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
CAREER
Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$37,660
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+4.2% (slower than the average)
Career
What Recycling and Reclamation Workers Do
Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
Other Job Titles Recycling and Reclamation Workers May Have
Bobcat Driver, Box Sorter, Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech), Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist), Non-Ferrous Material Handler, Sort Line Worker, Sorter, Transfer Station Operator
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.
- Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
- Clean, inspect, or lubricate recyclable collection equipment or perform routine maintenance or minor repairs on recycling equipment, such as star gears, finger sorters, destoners, belts, and grinders.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (74%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Associate's degree
Doctoral degree
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
