protecting your community

Introduction

Recycling officers play a part in saving the environment – they plan and develop environmental action plans and carry out schemes for recycling waste materials such as glass, paper and cans. All councils have someone responsible for recycling policies, working for either environmental services or cleansing departments. Sometimes the work is combined with areas such as waste management, environmental health or community initiatives.

Work Environment

The work is office-based, but generally involves some outdoor work, travelling to check on recycling areas, look for new sites and make visits to companies.

Recycling officers usually work a standard 37-hour week. There may be part-time and job-share opportunities.

Daily Activities

Duties are likely to include some or all of the following:

• working to improve established recycling strategies and developing new systems to collect and recycle waste – to meet national targets;
• working with other council departments, such as cleansing and planning, to increase the number of recycling areas;
• finding out about new recycling initiatives – this involves reading council directives, keeping abreast of European policy, attending conferences and meetings, and undertaking research;
• managing contracts with companies to remove waste material for recycling and spending time on the phone, negotiating with contractors;
• advising local businesses on waste disposal;
• answering queries from members of the public and dealing with complaints – for example, if a recycling site is overflowing;
• giving talks to children in local schools and members of community organisations;
• overseeing the distribution of bags, bins and recycling boxes;
• travelling round to check on recycling sites/centres in carparks, supermarkets etc. – making sure that contractors are emptying bins and picking up broken glass and cans;
• encouraging good recycling practice within the council itself – going round departments to promote in-house recycling;
• publicising the council’s recycling initiatives by talking to local newspapers, writing press releases, and being interviewed on local radio;
• producing posters, leaflets and recycling guides, and supplying information for council’s website;
• preparing reports for presentation to council members.

Read more about a month in the life of a senior recycling officer in local government on the IDeA website.

Skills & Interests

Recycling officers need to be:

• aware of green issues, with an understanding of domestic and European legislation relating to recycling,
• proactive in their approach to waste management, recycling policies and environmentalism,
• good communicators, with the ability to give clear presentations,
• persuasive, with good negotiating skills,
• good at producing written reports,
• good organisers, with excellent planning ability,
• able to research and analyse issues thoroughly and come up with practical solutions.

Entry Requirements

Some councils ask for a degree in a relevant subject such as environmental sciences/studies, or wastes management. Most ask for a background working in waste management and recycling. In the case of some senior positions, you may also need to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM).

Ideally you would need a full driving licence.

You may be able to work towards N/SVQs or CIWM professional qualifications once employed.

Estimated salary range

£21,900 - £25,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

You may be able to move into more senior managerial roles within recycling and waste management. With further training and qualifications, you may be able to move into other areas of environmental services, such as environmental health or possibly planning and licensing. You may also be able to move into research or policy development roles in other departments.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Protecting Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Chartered Institution of Wastes Management www.ciwm.co.uk

WAMITAB www.wamitab.org.uk

Energy and Utility Skills www.euskills.co.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local careers service/Connexions office/school careers library under RB.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Recycling Officer vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.