What does a recycling worker do?
Recycling worker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real recycling worker resumes:
- Work at Y12 removing and bagging asbestos shingles from old buildings.
- Assist customers with recycling of CRV beverages/containers.
- Operate automated and semiautomate hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
Recycling worker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 41% of Recycling Workers are proficient in Recyclable Materials, OSHA, and Loaders.
We break down the percentage of Recycling Workers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Recyclable Materials, 41%
Collected recyclable materials from curbside.
- OSHA, 35%
Design and print OSHA GHS labels and DOT labels for shipping and storing hazardous waste.
- Loaders, 12%
Drive forklift, front end loaders and Bobcat.
- Power Lifts, 3%
Operated forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts to load bales or bundles for shipping.
- Routine Maintenance, 3%
Cleaned, inspected, and lubricated recyclable construction equipment and performed routine maintenance.
- Place Materials, 2%
Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
Most recycling workers use their skills in "recyclable materials," "osha," and "loaders" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential recycling worker responsibilities here:
The three companies that hire the most recycling workers are:
- PeopleReady18 recycling workers jobs
- Casella Waste Systems4 recycling workers jobs
- Republic Services2 recycling workers jobs
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Recycling worker vs. Dismantler
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a recycling worker are more likely to require skills like "recyclable materials," "loaders," "aluminum cans," and "steel toe boots." On the other hand, a job as a dismantler requires skills like "hand tools," "dismantle," "safety standards," and "computer system." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that dismantlers earn slightly differ from recycling workers. In particular, dismantlers are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a recycling worker. Additionally, they're 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recycling worker vs. Transfer station operator
Each career also uses different skills, according to real recycling worker resumes. While recycling worker responsibilities can utilize skills like "recyclable materials," "osha," "aluminum cans," and "steel toe boots," transfer station operators use skills like "equipment maintenance," "landfill," "roll-off truck," and "dot."
Transfer station operators earn similar levels of education than recycling workers in general. They're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recycling worker vs. Dispatch, machine runner
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, recycling workers are more likely to have skills like "recyclable materials," "osha," "loaders," and "aluminum cans." But a dispatch, machine runner is more likely to have skills like "front desk," "can-do attitude," "assembly line," and "various maintenance."
Most dispatches, machine runner achieve a similar degree level compared to recycling workers. For example, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Recycling worker vs. Waste management recycling technician
Types of recycling worker
Updated January 8, 2025











