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Recycling officer

Recycling officers promote recycling in the community, and run local recycling schemes.

Average salary (a year)

£19,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become a recycling officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

University

Many employers will ask for a higher national diploma or degree in waste management or environmental sciences, accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels for a degree

More information

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you need for this job, like a Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Sustainable Waste Management.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an advanced or higher apprenticeship in sustainable resource management.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship

More information

Volunteering and experience

Paid or unpaid experience working in waste management, or on local recycling or environmental projects, can help you get started if you do not have a higher education qualification.

Direct application

You could apply directly to work as a recylcing officer. It will be helpful if you have a good standard of education, and experience of recycling projects and initiatives before applying.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in recycling from the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • leadership skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • managing local recycling facilities and collection services
  • reporting and monitoring
  • assessing tenders and managing contracts
  • managing budgets and funding applications
  • investigating complaints
  • recruiting and training volunteers

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a waste recycling site.

Career path and progression

You could move into freelance work as an environmental consultant.

With further study you could become a chartered waste manager.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a recycling officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Certificate in Principles of Sustainable Resource Management (QCF) Level 3

  • Provider: SAFE & SECURE TRAINING LIMITED
  • Start date: 01 January 2020
  • Location: Cardiff

CIPD Level 3 Certificate in Human Resources Practice

  • Provider: LAKES COLLEGE WEST CUMBRIA
  • Start date: 25 June 2020
  • Location: WORKINGTON
Find courses near you

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