Recycling Program Coordinators
Overview
Recycling Program Coordinators run community recycling systems, from curbside pickup routes to public drop-off centers. They plan collection schedules, assign truck drivers and recycling technicians, manage budgets, and make sure facilities and equipment—such as balers, crushers, and forklifts—are used safely and efficiently. They also design recycling and waste-reduction plans, negotiate contracts with waste management companies, and lead public education campaigns so residents and businesses know how and why to recycle correctly.
Did you know?
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in environmental science, sustainability, or related field, with additional certifications in waste management or environmental compliance often preferred by employers.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Instructing
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee recycling pick-up or drop-off programs to ensure compliance with community ordinances.
- Schedule movement of recycling materials into and out of storage areas.
- Identify or investigate new opportunities for materials to be collected and recycled.
- Make presentations to educate the public on how to recycle or on the environmental advantages of recycling.
- Supervise recycling technicians, community service workers, or other recycling operations employees or volunteers.
- Coordinate shipments of recycling materials with shipping brokers or processing companies.
- Develop community or corporate recycling plans and goals to minimize waste and conform to resource constraints.
- Design community solid and hazardous waste management programs.
- Negotiate contracts with waste management or other firms.
- Assign truck drivers or recycling technicians to routes.
- Inspect physical condition of recycling or hazardous waste facility for compliance with safety, quality, and service standards.
- Create or manage recycling operations budgets.
- Review customer requests for service to determine service needs and deploy appropriate resources to provide service.
- Operate recycling processing equipment, such as sorters, balers, crushers, and granulators to sort and process materials.
- Operate fork lifts, skid loaders, or trucks to move or store recyclable materials.
- Prepare grant applications to fund recycling programs or program enhancements.
- Prepare bills of lading, statements of shipping records, or customer receipts related to recycling or hazardous material services.
- Oversee campaigns to promote recycling or waste reduction programs in communities or private companies.
- Maintain logs of recycling materials received or shipped to processing companies.
- Implement grant-funded projects, monitoring and reporting progress in accordance with sponsoring agency requirements.
- Investigate violations of solid waste or recycling ordinances.
- Provide training to recycling technicians or community service workers on topics such as safety, solid waste processing, or general recycling operations.
- Coordinate recycling collection schedules to optimize service and efficiency.
Career Considerations
Educational Requirements and Certifications
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in environmental science, sustainability, or related field, with additional certifications in waste management or environmental compliance often preferred by employers.
Geographic Job Market Variation
Employment opportunities vary significantly across states and municipalities due to differing recycling mandates, with higher demand in environmentally progressive cities and states like California, Washington, and the Northeast.
Growing Sustainability Focus
Increasing corporate environmental responsibility and municipal sustainability goals are driving demand for recycling coordinators, particularly in urban areas and large organizations.