Refuse collection drivers take household and business waste away for disposal or recycling. They lead a team of refuse collectors and drive the refuse collection vehicle to a tip or landfill site.

The team goes to one area on the same day each week, and collects the rubbish left out for them by householders and businesses. Drivers:

• make routine maintenance checks on the lorry before setting out
• drive the lorry slowly, stopping often and keeping pace with the loaders
• manoeuvring the lorry in and out of tight spaces when necessary
• make sure that everyone is clear of the lorry before crushing starts
• drive the lorry to the disposal site for unloading
• supervise the team of loaders.

They may also take recyclable materials to recycling depots.

Hours and Environment

As a refuse collection driver you will usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You will usually start work at 6.30am or 7am and finish at around 3.30pm. You may sometimes need to work at weekends or on public holidays, and overtime may be available.

You will spend a lot of time in the cab of your lorry, but will also work outdoors in all weather conditions when taking your vehicle to be emptied. You will be provided with safety clothing including reflective jackets, heavy duty gloves and steel toe-capped boots.

Skills and Interests

To be a refuse collection driver, you need:

• good driving skills
• good levels of concentration and observation
• patience
• physical fitness
• the ability to work as part of a team
• an awareness of health and safety.

Entry

You do not need any academic qualifications to become a refuse collection driver.

You must be aged 21 or over, and you must have an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) licence. Some employers may pay for your LGV training if you are currently working as a refuse collector and want to progress to become a driver. See the Large Goods Vehicle Driver profile for more information.

Training

You will be trained on the job. Your training is likely to include health and safety awareness, manual handling, and how to operate the vehicle's crushing mechanism.

You can work towards the following NVQs/SVQs:

• NVQ/SVQ Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Waste Management Operations
• NVQ/SVQ Level 3 Waste Management Supervision.

NVQ/SVQ Levels 3 and 4 are suitable if you progress into supervisory or waste management jobs.

The Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board (WAMITAB) also awards Certificates of Technical Competence at levels 3 and 4. These are included in NVQ/SVQ Levels 3 and 4, but you could also them separately if necessary. See the Energy & Utility Skills website for a list of training providers.

Opportunities

As a refuse collection driver you will usually work for a local council, or for a private waste management company under contract to a council. You could also work for one of the growing number of commercial recycling companies.

Jobs may be advertised in the local press, Jobcentre Plus, local council websites and job bulletins and on the LGjobs website.

With experience, you could progress to team leader or supervisor. With further training you could become a waste management officer or recycling officer - for more information, see the Waste Management Officer and Recycling Officer profiles and the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) website.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Refuse collection drivers usually earn between £15,000 and £20,000.
Supervisors earn between £17,000 and £25,000.

Further information

Peterbridge House
3 The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7HE
Tel: 01604 231950 Friars Gate Two
1011 Stratford Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4BN
Tel: 0845 077 9922 9 Saxon Court
St Peter’s Gardens
Marefair
Northampton
NN1 1SX
Tel: 01604 620426