Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Overview
Recycling and Reclamation Workers handle the valuable materials hidden in our trash. They sort metals, glass, plastics, wood, and paper into the right categories, clean them when needed, and use equipment such as conveyor belts, grinders, fiber-sorters, and balers to crush and compact recyclables into neat, stackable bales. They also carefully remove dangerous substances from old appliances using tools like refrigerant recovery machines, keep detailed logs of what materials and chemicals were recovered, and operate forklifts, pallet jacks, or collection trucks to move materials safely through the recycling process.
Did you know?
This occupation involves heavy lifting, exposure to potentially hazardous materials, and requires strict adherence to OSHA safety protocols in American workplaces.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Instructing
Key Responsibilities
- Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
- Operate automated refuse or manual recycling collection vehicles.
- Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- Record logs of recycled materials or waste chemicals removed from products.
- Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
- Operate processing equipment, such as fiber-sorters and grinders, to sort, crush, or grind recyclable materials.
- Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
- Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
- 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.
- 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.
- Collect recyclable materials from curbside for delivery to designated facilities.
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- Clean materials, such as metals, according to recycling requirements.
- Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Safety Requirements
This occupation involves heavy lifting, exposure to potentially hazardous materials, and requires strict adherence to OSHA safety protocols in American workplaces.
Growing Job Market Opportunities
Employment prospects are expanding due to increased environmental regulations and corporate sustainability initiatives across the United States.
Training and Certification Needs
Many positions require on-the-job training or specialized certifications in equipment operation and hazardous material handling that vary by state.