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

• 7422: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators

2006 NOC-S

• H612: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators

2011 NOC

• 7522: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2016 NOC

• 7522: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2021 NOC

• 74205: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2023 OaSIS

• 74205.00: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

Municipal recycling truck drivers pick up special types of recyclable materials along assigned routes. They may operate regular trucks or specially designed collection 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)
• Conduct daily pre-inspection and post-inspection checks on trucks
• Perform daily cleaning, safety, and preventative maintenance checks on assigned equipment
• 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
• Report operational and safety-related incidents to supervisor / foreperson
• 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
• Ensure that all health and safety procedures are followed, and all required safety PPE is used
• 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.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
2016 NOC: 7522

81.8% of people in this occupational group work in:

• Public Administration
• Business, Building and Other Support Services
• Construction

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2021 NOC: 74205

Hot

Job Market

4,400

Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2016 NOC: 7522

2.5%

Annual Growth
(Above average)

137

New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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