How to hire a recyclable products sorter

How to hire a recyclable products sorter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step recyclable products sorter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a recyclable products sorter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new recyclable products sorter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a recyclable products sorter, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a recyclable products sorter to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a recyclable products sorter that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of recyclable products sorters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Recyclable Products Sorter	Description	Hourly rate
   Recyclable Products Sorter		$10-15
   Woodworking Shop Hand	A woodworking shop hand is responsible for assisting woodwork tasks, creating high-quality products, and inspecting the items thoroughly before packaging and releasing for delivery. Woodworking shop hands maintain clean and safe construction tools and equipment, perform repairs as needed, and disposing of defective items that may affect operational efficiency... Show more	$12-18
   Generator Worker	A Generator Worker is in charge of operating generator systems on a daily basis, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, understanding blueprints and schematics, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Standards
   • Recyclable Materials
   • Sops
   • Plastic Bottles
   • Safety Procedures
   • Sort Materials
   • Assembly Line
   • Federal Regulations
   • Load Trucks
   • Aluminum ETC
   • Processing Equipment
   • Place Materials
   • Electronic Components
   • Bobcat

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Process mail using automate mail processing equipment or manual methods of sortation and distribution.
   • Process mail using automate mail processing equipment or manual methods of sortation and distribution.

   More recyclable products sorter duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your recyclable products sorter job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A recyclable products sorter salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, recyclable products sorters' average salary in new mexico is 41% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level recyclable products sorters earn 36% less than senior-level recyclable products sorters.
   • Certifications. A recyclable products sorter with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a recyclable products sorter's salary.

   Average recyclable products sorter salary

   $12.83hourly

   $26,693 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level recyclable products sorter salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average recyclable products sorter salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$32,957	$16
   2	Maine	$32,043	$15
   3	Tennessee	$31,598	$15
   4	Indiana	$31,440	$15
   5	Arizona	$29,865	$14
   6	Illinois	$29,627	$14
   7	New York	$29,571	$14
   8	Utah	$28,045	$13
   9	Pennsylvania	$27,983	$13
   10	Michigan	$27,439	$13
   11	New Jersey	$27,267	$13
   12	California	$26,412	$13
   13	Florida	$25,349	$12
   14	Texas	$25,041	$12
   15	Oklahoma	$24,213	$12
   16	Georgia	$23,258	$11

   Average recyclable products sorter salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The RealReal	$31,422	$15.11
   2	Waste Connections	$31,342	$15.07	4
   3	Republic Services	$29,385	$14.13	19
   4	Kelly Services	$28,504	$13.70	2
   5	Aerotek	$28,411	$13.66	1
   6	LaborMAX Staffing	$28,289	$13.60	2
   7	Snelling	$28,108	$13.51	5
   8	ManpowerGroup	$28,046	$13.48	2
   9	Remedy Intelligent Staffing	$27,721	$13.33
   10	Adecco	$27,564	$13.25	1
   11	PeopleReady	$27,550	$13.25	10
   12	Css Farms	$26,845	$12.91
   13	Express Employment Indy South	$26,795	$12.88
   14	Peri & Sons Farms	$26,756	$12.86
   15	PDS Tech	$26,643	$12.81
   16	Automation Personnel Services	$26,006	$12.50	1
   17	HW Staffing Solutions	$25,795	$12.40
   18	Balance Staffing	$25,667	$12.34
   19	The Salvation Army	$24,527	$11.79	12
   20	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$24,440	$11.75

4. Writing a recyclable products sorter job description

   A good recyclable products sorter job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a recyclable products sorter job description:

   Recyclable products sorter job description example

   PeopleReady of Hollywood, FL is now hiring Recycling Sorters! As a Recycling Sorter, you will sort materials along a conveyor belt and pull out any unrecyclable items.
   
   Apply today and you could start as soon as tomorrow. No resume or interview required – yep, you read that right.
   As a PeopleReady associate you'll benefit from:
   
   * The freedom to work where you want, when you want and as often as you want.
   
   * Next-day pay* for many of our open positions.
   
   * The ability to choose long-term positions for steady work or short-term positions if you just want some extra cash.
   
   * The ability to sign up for jobs right from our mobile app, JobStack!
   
   Pay Rate:
   
   The pay rate for this job is $13.50 / hour
   
   What you'll be doing as a Recycling Sorter:
   
   * Sort materials into appropriate containers for recycling
   
   * Deposit recoverable materials into chutes and place materials on conveyor belts
   
   * Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales
   
   * Clean and maintain recycling yard equipment
   
   * Remove chemicals from discarded appliances
   
   * Load items onto trucks for shipping to other processing facilities
   
   Available shifts:
   
   Shift Timing - All Available
   
   Job requirements:
   
   * Prior experience in recycling yard preferred but not required
   
   * Able to repeatedly reach, bend, push, pull, and climb
   
   * Lift up to 50 pounds
   
   * Flexibility to work in all weather conditions
   
   * Able to remain in a stationary position for up to 10 hours
   
   * Drug screen required
   
   *
   
   Background Check Required
   
   Ready to take control of the way you work?
   
   Complete our application to join the PeopleReady team today. In case you missed it, no resumes or interviews are required!
   
   #TIER2
   
   PeopleReady is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religious affiliation, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by law. We will get to know you and connect you with jobs that match your skills, experience and preferences. We work hard every single day to find jobs so each employee has opportunity and variety in their work.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find recyclable products sorters for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your recyclable products sorter job on Zippia to find and recruit recyclable products sorter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with recyclable products sorter candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new recyclable products sorter

   Once you have selected a candidate for the recyclable products sorter position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new recyclable products sorter. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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