Bin worker
Bin workers collect household and commercial waste for disposal or recycling.
Also known as: Refuse collector, waste operative, recycling collector
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a bin worker, you could:
- collect rubbish and recycling from homes or businesses
- use a lifting mechanism to empty waste into the bin lorry
- operate a waste compactor to crush loads
- sort recycling boxes at the kerbside
- drive a bin lorry if you're licensed to do so
- help unload waste at landfill sites or recycling 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 outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding and dirty.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work on your own
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- customer service skills
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a bin worker
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Waste Resource Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship typically takes a year to complete and is a mix of training on the job and off-site learning.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly to job vacancies through your local council , employment agencies and waste management companies.
Employers set their own entry requirements but you'll be expected to be physically fit and a good timekeeper.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 18 years of age
You'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence to apply for jobs that include driving the bin collection lorry.
Career path and progression
With experience and training, you could become a bin crew team leader or supervisor.
You might also train to become a:
- refuse collection lorry driver
- waste management co-ordinator
- recycling officer
Career tips
Shift allowances, overtime and driving duties can increase take home pay.
Guides for this industry
Related roles
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0