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 car
parks, 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). You
may be able to work towards N/SVQs or CIWM professional
qualifications once employed. Ideally you would need a full
driving licence.
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.
Further Information & Services
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management www.ciwm.co.uk
Energy and Utility Skills www.euskills.co.uk
Environmental Services Association www.esauk.org
Recycle Now www.recyclenow.com
Wastes Management Industry Training and Advisory Board www.wamitab.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.