Municipal Recycling Truck Driver

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators (7422) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators (H612) 
• 2011 NOC: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers (7522) 

Municipal recycling truck drivers pick up special types of recyclable materials along assigned routes. They may operate regular trucks or specially designed trucks. These trucks may have dual-drive cabs or automated side loaders.

Duties vary but, in general, municipal recycling truck drivers:

• inspect the vehicle and equipment before they start driving (to ensure things are safe and in good working order)
• follow a regular pickup route or route card instructions
• load blue bins or bags into collection units or sort materials into truck compartments
• answer questions about recycling and deal respectfully with the public
• speak with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, and other maintenance problems
• return to recycling depots or warehouses to dump truck contents
• refuel trucks at depots
• keep work areas and trucks clean, and remove snow as required
• review policies and procedures often
• complete required paperwork.

In some places, truck operators collect both refuse and recyclable materials. To learn more, see the Refuse Collector profile.

In general, municipal recycling truck drivers work shifts. They may have to work split shifts, afternoons, and weekends.

Drivers work in all types of weather. They work with waste materials that may be dirty or smelly. They routinely lift items that weigh up to 20 kilograms.

Municipal recycling truck drivers need to possess:

• the ability to work steadily and quickly for a full shift
• the ability to follow directions
• the ability to work on their own
• confidence operating large equipment.

They should enjoy:

• routine, repetitive work
• driving.

Municipal recycling truck drivers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7511: Transport truck drivers. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Transportation and Warehousing [pdf]
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction [pdf]
• Wholesale Trade [pdf]
• Construction [pdf].

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the H612: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.6% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 21 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.