Refuse collector
Take rubbish away from people's home and businesses to keep the environment pleasant, clean and healthy.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£327
Entry level
£481
Experienced
Monthly
£1,417
Entry level
£2,083
Experienced
Yearly
£17,000
Entry level
£25,000
Experienced
4,300
people are currently employed
Low growth
No change in number of jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You would take rubbish away from people’s home and businesses to keep the environment pleasant, clean and healthy.
As a loader, you’d pick up waste for disposal or recycling. You would work as part of a small team, collecting refuse from a different local area each day of the week.
You would:
Move bags, wheelie bins and recycling bins and boxes
Use a lifting mechanism to tip the waste from bins into the lorry
Throw plastic bags into the back of the lorry
Crush the waste
Sort recyclable materials at the kerbside
Guide the driver safely around the streets
Report any problems with waste collections
Help to unload the waste at designated facilities
Record the amount of waste collected
With experience, you might drive the collection lorry and supervise the team of loaders.
As a driver, you would check the lorry before you set out for routine maintenance. As you drive you’d need to stop often to keep in time with the loaders.
It’s a large vehicle so you’d need to be aware of other vehicles or people in the road and steer the lorry safely.
You’d also make sure people are clear of the lorry before the rubbish is crushed. Then you’d drive it to a transfer station, landfill site or recycling depot for weighing and unloading.
You need to work cleanly and quickly and be aware of health and safety rules.
Hours
Environment
Travel
Explore more information about this job
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Related industries
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- problem solving
- cooperating
- attention to detail
- time management
- reliable
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
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Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
There are no set qualifications to enter this job but qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 may be of value.
Qualifications and experience that show physical fitness, understanding of health and safety and recycling skills.
Work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Sustainable Resource Operations (SVQ level 2/3) can be achieved once you are in work.
A LGV licence (Large Goods Vehicle) may be required.
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