Bin Worker

Typical Salary

£15,000 To £30,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Bin Worker

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an intermediate waste resource operative apprenticeship.

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

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply directly to job vacancies. Employers set their own entry requirements.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to work on your own
knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
knowledge of public safety and security
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

You could:

collect residential and business refuse and recycling
lift and load heavy items
operate lifting mechanism to transfer refuse to the waste lorry
operate waste compactor
sort recyclable materials at the kerbside
drive/navigate waste lorry safely
report any problems with waste collections
help to unload the waste at designated facilities
record the amount of waste collected

Working Environment

You could work in the community or at a waste recycling site.

Your working environment may be dirty, physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could progress to team leader or supervisor.

With further training you could become a waste management officer or recycling officer.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

be over 18 years of age

You'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence to work as a bin collection or waste collection driver.