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Recycling engagement officer

Alternative titles for this job include Recycling officer, Recycling support officer

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

Average salary (a year)

£22,500 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You can get into this job with a higher national diploma or degree in any subject. You may have an advantage if you have studied for a qualification in:

  • business and environment
  • environment and sustainability
  • community development
  • public relations or marketing

Some employers might want you to have a qualification that is accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course to help you learn some of the skills and knowledge you need to become a recycling engagement officer. For example a certificate or diploma in:

  • sustainable resource management
  • business management
  • marketing
  • public relations

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could begin by doing an apprenticeship like:

  • Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Environmental Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These take a minimum of 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

You could volunteer at a recycling centre to get practical experience of working in waste management. 

You could also take part in community or environmental based schemes to show your interest in local affairs.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a recycling engagement officer.

You'll be expected to have an understanding of the issues around recycling, as well as experience of bringing different groups together to work on projects.

More information

You can find out more about careers and training in recycling from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • business management skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a recycling engagement officer, you could:

  • improve take-up of local recycling and collection services
  • deal with contracts, budgets and funding applications for schemes
  • organise and promote local sustainability projects and events
  • give advice on waste management and recycling issues
  • recruit and train community volunteers

We've identified this as a green job

As a recycling engagement officer, you'll explain the benefits of recycling to the public. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

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

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • become an engagement and partnerships manager
  • move into freelance work as an environmental or sustainability consultant
  • apply for chartered environmentalist status

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £28,607 a year Annually
  • Location: London Road, West Malling, Kent

Climate Change & Sustainability Apprentice

  • Wage: £24,790 a year Annually
  • Location: Warwick
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Access to HE Diploma (Environmental Science)

  • Provider: FARNBOROUGH COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Farnborough

ASCENTIS Access to HE Dip: Environmental Science FL3

  • Provider: NCG
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Find courses near you

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