How to hire a recycler

How to hire a recycler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step recycler hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the recycler you need to hire. Certain recycler roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A recycler's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, recyclers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents recycler salaries for various positions.

   Type of Recycler	Description	Hourly rate
   Recycler		$10-20
   Factory Worker	A factory worker is responsible for manufacturing products using appropriate machinery and equipment. Factory workers' duties include processing the products based on the required quantity and specifications, labeling and safely packaging the merchandise, ensuring that the items are free of any defects before distribution, monitoring the supply inventories, reporting defected machines and equipment, and maintaining the cleanliness of the production area... Show more	$10-18

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OSHA
   • Basic Math
   • Safety Regulations
   • Recyclable Materials
   • Cardboard Boxes
   • Load Trucks
   • Customer Service
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Waste Materials
   • Sales Floor
   • Assembly Line
   • Torches
   • Plastic Bottles
   • RAN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage warehouse operations and maintain workflows and production schedules in alignment with company policies and federal regulations such as OSHA.
   • Recycle cans run a beller.
   • Calibrate instruments per ISO instructions.
   • Pick packing wraping sorting dismantle forklift
   • Organize and publicize composting workshops and bin sales.
   • Used tools such as torches and saws to cut up used products.

   More recycler duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, recyclers' average salary in alabama is 31% less than in maine.
   • Seniority. Entry-level recyclers earn 50% less than senior-level recyclers.
   • Certifications. A recycler 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 recycler's salary.

   Average recycler salary

   $14.44hourly

   $30,026 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level recycler salary

   $21,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average recycler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Ohio	$35,830	$17
   2	New Jersey	$33,480	$16
   3	Connecticut	$33,119	$16
   4	Illinois	$32,004	$15
   5	California	$30,953	$15
   6	Nevada	$30,719	$15
   7	Missouri	$30,134	$14
   8	Oregon	$27,567	$13
   9	Tennessee	$25,592	$12
   10	Oklahoma	$25,058	$12
   11	Florida	$24,831	$12
   12	Georgia	$24,767	$12
   13	North Carolina	$24,301	$12
   14	Alabama	$23,815	$11

   Average recycler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Bob's Discount Furniture	$33,013	$15.87
   2	Kelly Services	$31,413	$15.10	1
   3	Aerotek	$31,289	$15.04	2
   4	Adecco	$30,931	$14.87
   5	ManpowerGroup	$30,884	$14.85	3
   6	Rooms To Go	$30,286	$14.56
   7	Randstad North America, Inc.	$29,087	$13.98
   8	ABM Industries	$28,409	$13.66	15
   9	Kimco Facility Services	$28,375	$13.64
   10	Kellermeyer Bergensons Services	$28,355	$13.63
   11	IH Services	$28,347	$13.63

4. Writing a recycler job description

   A recycler job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a recycler job description:

   Recycler job description example

   Current Living Spaces Employees: Please apply via your internal Workday Account.
   
   Living Spaces is a growing home furnishing brand and we continue to open new locations. We know in order to stay current with the times and trends, we have to perpetually update our look and selection. What has truly sustained our growth - from 1 to over 20 locations, from 100 employees to over 2,000, from a humble home furnishings store to a widely recognized and respected lifestyle brand - are the talented individuals who have taken us there. We are looking for innovative, driven, and passionate professionals to join our team so we can reach even greater heights together.We believe that a great team member experience leads to an even better guest experience. That is why we place a huge emphasis on building a great culture within our teams. Our ideal candidate will have natural talent: meaning, they possess the capacity and commitment, along with an openness to being coached around skills that will ensure they delight and exceed the expectations of our guests in all areas of Living Spaces business. We also believe in our team members taking ownership of their performance and how that contributes to the overall success of their role.
   
   Position Summary
   Will be assigned recycling responsibilities that include; clearing, cleaning and sweeping lanes of all debris and trash; driving a “Rabbit” to pick up and process cardboard, plastic and foam; Utilize and operate the plastic processing machine to recycle and process plastic; operate forklift to move and process bundles of plastic and cardboard; Process wood into the wood recycling bin and set up wood bins at each door; Empty all trash cans in area of responsibility; Clear, clean and sweep all aisle of responsibility; replace outside main trash compactor container when full; clean all assembly tables of all debris and trash.
   
   Position Description
   Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but not limited to recycling, cleaning, maintains a clean free from debris warehouse floor. Other duties may be assigned.• Clearing, cleaning and sweeping dock lanes of all debris and trash.• Drive “Rabbit” to pick up and process cardboard, plastic and foam and trash; Utilize and operate the plastic processing machine to recycle and process plastic.• Conducts operations in a manner that promotes safety.• Maintains a clean free from debris warehouse floor.• Accomplishes customer service and organization mission by completing related results as needed.• Meet company standards for productivity.
   
   Qualifications
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.• Up to 1 to 2 year(s) of related experience in forklift operation.Work EnvironmentThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Physical DemandsThe employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Peripheral vision, Distance vision, and Ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to climb a ladder occasionally. The employee may have to lift items overhead.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; climb or balance and stop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit.To perform the warehouse job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.• Education: High School Degree or GED in relevant field or equivalent.• Certificates (if applicable): N/A
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   It is our policy to abide by all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based solely on a person's race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), sexual orientation, or any other protected status except where a reasonable, bona fide occupational qualification exists.
   
   E-Verify
   Living Spaces participates in E-Verify. All newly-hired team members are queried through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify their identity and employment eligibility.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right recycler for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit recyclers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 recycler

   Once you've found the recycler candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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