Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Recycling operative

Recycling operative

Alternative titles for this job include Waste resources recycling operative, recycling centre worker

Recycling operatives collect, sort and recycle materials like glass, metal, paper and plastics from homes and businesses.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£30,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 45

You could work

early mornings on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Metal Recycling General Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This takes around 1 year to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You do not need any particular qualifications to apply for jobs although GCSEs in English and maths can be useful.

You may have an advantage if you've had forklift truck or telehandler training, or can drive a large goods vehicle.

More Information

Career tips

An employer will usually offer you training on the job, for example to get your large goods vehicle licence.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in recycling from Energy & Utilities Careers & Jobs and the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • knowledge of recycling processes
  • observation and recording skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

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 operative, you could:

  • load and unload recycling collection vehicles
  • weigh and record waste and scrap metal collections
  • use lifting machinery to help move and sort waste
  • separate materials on a moving conveyor at a recycling plant
  • remove non-recyclable or flammable items
  • shred metal scrap using hydraulic cutting machines
  • grade and sort metal, by hand or machine
  • identify and report illegal or hazardous waste
  • operate a forklift truck or crane to stack baled materials

We've identified this as a green job

As a recycling operative, you'll recycle plastics, glass and paper, scrapped vehicles, household appliances and electrical and electronic waste. You'll also dispose of pollutants safely. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

Working environment

You could work at a waste recycling site or from a vehicle.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time, dirty and physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could move into a supervisory or management role at a waste collection site.

You could also work as a weighbridge operator, a HGV or forklift driver, or move into health and safety.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a recycling operative 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

Waste Water Recycling & Drainage Engineer

  • Provider: SYSCO BUSINESS SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED
  • Start date: 23 October 2025
  • Location: CAER
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.