What Do Recyclable Material Collectors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Recyclable Material Collectors collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck. They also operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.

Other tasks include:

• Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
• Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
• Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
• Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
• Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
• Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.

We asked Recyclable Material Collectors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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63% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Recyclable Material Collectors refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid. They organize schedules for refuse collection.

A typical day for a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector will also include:

• Fill out defective equipment reports.
• Provide quotes for refuse collection contracts.
• Make special pickups of recyclable materials, such as food scraps, used oil, discarded computers, or other electronic items.
• Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
• Sort items set out for recycling and throw materials into designated truck compartments.

We asked some Recyclable Material Collectors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	27% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	19% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	28% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	29% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	83% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Recyclable Material Collectors also clean trucks or compactor bodies after routes have been completed. They may also make special pickups of recyclable materials, such as food scraps, used oil, discarded computers, or other electronic items.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Recyclable Material Collectors Sort items set out for recycling and throw materials into designated truck compartments. They might also Tag garbage or recycling containers to inform customers of problems, such as excess garbage or inclusion of items that are not permitted.

In addition, they Check road or weather conditions to determine how routes will be affected.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.

To some Recyclable Material Collectors, it is also their responsibility to Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/transportation-and-material-moving/hand-laborers-and-material-movers.htm

http://www.mhi.org/

http://www.werc.org/