With the growing awareness of the need for environmental preservation in the UK, waste management and recycling is fast becoming a major growth industry. Positions in this sector range from recycling operative to operations manager, and are generally respected members of society who are regarded as doing their best for future generations.
An operative’s duties for a local authority or non-profit foundation will principally be sorting the different kinds of refuse into categories such as paper, glass, plastic, hazardous or general and making sure that it goes to its assigned destination. A manager will oversee the sorting operations and may also visit clients or establishments to promote correct waste management procedures.
Operatives do not need any specific skills or qualifications, but attention to detail and good hand-eye coordination are necessary attributes. Managerial candidates should be educated to at least A Level standard with a BSc degree being an advantage
Dependant on location and whether a position is temporary or permanent, recycling operatives can expect hourly rates of up to £8.00 per hour. Managers generally start on annual salaries of around £18,500 per annum. Situations are vacant in all areas of the country where waste is produced and collected.