Refuse collectors collect waste from homes and businesses and take it away for disposal or recycling.

They work in a small team with one driver and few other refuse collectors. The team goes to one area on the same day each week, and collects the rubbish left out for them by householders and businesses.

Refuse collectors:

• move bags, wheelie bins and recycling bins and boxes
• using a lifting mechanism to tip the rubbish from bins into the lorry
• throw plastic bags into the back of the lorry
• work the controls to crush the rubbish
• sort recyclable materials at the kerbside
• guide the driver to move the lorry safely around the streets
• help to unload the rubbish at tips or dumps.

They may also sometimes collect large items like furniture, or dispose of dangerous substances such as chemicals or clinical waste from hospitals.

Hours and Environment

As a refuse collector 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 need to work outdoors in all weather conditions. The work is active and involves bending, lifting and carrying heavy bags and bins. You will be provided with safety clothing including reflective jackets, heavy duty gloves and steel toe-capped boots.

Skills and Interests

As a refuse collector you should be:

• physically fit and strong enough to lift and carry heavy items
• able to work well in small team
• polite when dealing with members of the public
• hardworking and responsible
• safety-conscious 
• able to work quickly and cleanly.

Entry

Training

You will be trained on the job. Your training is likely to include health and safety awareness, manual handling, and the disposal of dangerous objects.

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.

If you gain an LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) licence you could become a refuse collection driver. Some employers may pay for your LGV training. See the Large Goods Vehicle Driver profile for more details.

Opportunities

As a refuse collector 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 collectors usually earn £11,000 to £17,000 a year.
Drivers can earn between £15,000 and £20,000.
Supervisors are likely to earn from £17,000 to £25,000 a year.

Further information

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