What does a recyclable materials collector do?
Recyclable materials collector responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real recyclable materials collector resumes:
- Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices on waste site.
- Used pitch forks, shovels and similar hand tools to pick up general refuse and trash from curbside and other areas.
- Return products to Comcast corporate locations
Recyclable materials collector skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Recyclable Materials Collectors are proficient in Recyclable Materials, Hoisting, and Dump Contents.
We break down the percentage of Recyclable Materials Collectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Recyclable Materials, 23%
Recycle driver, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
- Hoisting, 21%
Operated automated or semi hoisting devices-Inspected trucks prior to beginning routes-operated equipment that compresses collected refuse
- Dump Contents, 14%
Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
- Equipment Breakdowns, 10%
Maintained effective communication with dispatchers and supervisors concerning delays, safety issues, accidents, equipment breakdowns or other maintenance problems.
- Drive Trucks, 8%
Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets and alleys.
- Maintenance Problems, 8%
Communicated with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, and other maintenance problems.
Common skills that a recyclable materials collector uses to do their job include "recyclable materials," "hoisting," and "dump contents." You can find details on the most important recyclable materials collector responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a recyclable materials collector to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "hand laborers and material movers who work with the public, such as grocery baggers or carwash attendants, must be pleasant and courteous to customers." Recyclable materials collectors often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "tagged unacceptable refuse and informed customers of proper collection procedures. "
Listening skills. Many recyclable materials collector duties rely on listening skills. "hand laborers and material movers follow instructions that a supervisor gives them.," so a recyclable materials collector will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways recyclable materials collector responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems. "
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Recyclable materials collector vs. Disposal worker
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, recyclable materials collector responsibilities require skills like "recyclable materials," "hoisting," "dump contents," and "equipment breakdowns." Meanwhile a typical disposal worker has skills in areas such as "hazardous materials," "waste materials," "vac," and "grounds clean-up." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that disposal workers earn slightly differ from recyclable materials collectors. In particular, disposal workers are 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a recyclable materials collector. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recyclable materials collector vs. Garbage truck helper
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that recyclable materials collector responsibilities requires skills like "recyclable materials," "dump contents," "equipment breakdowns," and "drive trucks." But a garbage truck helper might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "gps," "property damage," "customer service," and "delivery truck."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Garbage truck helpers tend to reach lower levels of education than recyclable materials collectors. In fact, they're 6.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recyclable materials collector vs. Commercial front load driver
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a recyclable materials collector is likely to be skilled in "recyclable materials," "dump contents," "equipment breakdowns," and "drive trucks," while a typical commercial front load driver is skilled in "post-trip inspections," "dot," "federal laws," and "osha."
Most commercial front load drivers achieve a lower degree level compared to recyclable materials collectors. For example, they're 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recyclable materials collector vs. Front loader residential driver
Even though a few skill sets overlap between recyclable materials collectors and front loader residential drivers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a recyclable materials collector might have more use for skills like "recyclable materials," "hoisting," "dump contents," and "equipment breakdowns." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of front loader residential drivers require skills like "post-trip inspections," "dot," "cdl," and "safety hazards. "
Front loader residential drivers reach lower levels of education compared to recyclable materials collectors, in general. The difference is that they're 6.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of recyclable materials collector
Updated January 8, 2025











