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. They sort bulk loads of waste paper, glass, and other recyclable waste. Duties vary depending on the employer but, in general, handlers:

• confirm that materials are of specified types and grades, and free of contaminants
• load materials onto conveyor belts or into bulk loads for inspection
• regulate the flow of paper into shredding or baling machines
• operate forklifts to:

• move bales of shredded or compressed materials into storage areas
• load waste materials onto trucks or trailers

• operate hydraulic lift jacks to move bales or loads of bulk paper
• help members of the public unload recyclable material.

Some recycling waste handlers work in commercial bottle-return depots. They may also calculate payments and pay customers for returned materials.

Municipal recycling waste handlers often work shifts. They are on their feet most of time. They may need to lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms. They must follow safety measures. For instance, they must wear hard hats, gloves, safety shoes, and safety glasses. They must not wear loose clothing when working near conveyor belts.

The work setting can be dusty, dirty, and sometimes smelly. Depending on indoor space, some materials may be sorted outside.

Municipal recycling waste handlers need to possess:

• the ability to work quickly and steadily for an entire shift
• the ability to remain alert while doing routine, repetitive tasks
• the ability to work on their own
• the ability to manage work on fast conveyor belts without getting motion sick.

Some handlers deal with the public. They must be pleasant and courteous toward a wide variety of people.

Municipal recycling waste handlers should enjoy:

• taking a step-by-step approach to their work
• handling materials.

Recycling waste handlers may work for:

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

In large operations, with time on the job, handlers may become supervisors.

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 [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 J319: Other Labourers in Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 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.