Municipal Recycling Waste Handler

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: Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities (9619) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities (J319) 
• 2011 NOC: Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities (9619) 

Municipal recycling waste handlers work at a depot or warehouse where they sort bulk loads of waste paper, glass materials or other recyclable waste. Duties vary depending on the employer but, in general, handlers:

• verify that waste material is of a specified type and grade and is free of contaminants
• load waste materials onto conveyor belts or into bulk loads which can be inspected
• operate and regulate the flow of paper into shredding or baling machines
• operate forklifts to move bales of shredded or compressed materials into storage areas or to load waste materials onto trucks or trailers
• assist the general public in unloading recyclable material
• operate hydraulic lift jacks to move bales or loads of bulk paper.

Workers in municipal recycling depots such as bottle return operations also may:

• direct and assist people unloading recyclable material
• calculate payments and pay customers for returned materials.

Municipal recycling waste handlers often work shifts. They are on their feet most of their working hours and may be required to lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms. They must observe safety precautions such as wearing hard hats, gloves, safety shoes and safety glasses, and not wear loose clothing when working near conveyor belts.

The working environment can be dusty, dirty and sometimes smelly. Some materials may be sorted outside due to storage constraints.

Municipal recycling waste handlers need the following characteristics:

• the ability to work steadily and quickly for an entire shift
• the ability to perform routine, repetitive tasks but still remain alert
• the ability to work independently.

Those who deal with the public also must be able to deal pleasantly and courteously with a wide variety of people.

Municipal recycling waste handlers should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work and handling materials.

Recycling waste handlers may work for:

• municipalities (cities and towns)
• not-for-profit recycling organizations
• privately owned recycling collection services.

In large operations, experienced recycling waste handlers may advance to supervisory positions.

Municipal recycling waste handlers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 9619: Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities. In Alberta, 77% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Manufacturing (PDF)
• Management, Administrative and Other Support Services (PDF)
• Wholesale Trade (PDF)

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

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 2,800 Albertans are employed in the Other labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 39 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As municipal recycling waste handlers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for municipal recycling waste handlers.

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