SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Recycling and Reclamation Workers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Bobcat Driver
  • Box Sorter
  • Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech)
  • Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist)
  • Non-Ferrous Material Handler
  • Sort Line Worker
  • Sorter
  • Transfer Station Operator
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What do Recycling and Reclamation Workers do?

Recycling and reclamation workers are responsible for sorting, processing, and repurposing recyclable materials such as metals, glass, plastics, and paper to reduce waste and promote sustainability. They operate in recycling centers, landfills, and waste management facilities, where they work to reclaim valuable resources from discarded items. These workers may also assist in the operation of machinery used for shredding, crushing, and baling materials, ensuring that the recycling process is efficient and organized. Their role is crucial in educating the public about recycling practices and the importance of reducing landfill waste, while also contributing to environmental conservation efforts. By extracting reusable resources, recycling and reclamation workers help to minimize pollution and decrease the demand for raw materials, playing a significant part in the circular economy.

What the work actually is

  • Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
  • Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
  • Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.
  • Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
  • Clean, inspect, or lubricate recyclable collection equipment or perform routine maintenance or minor repairs on recycling equipment, such as star gears, finger sorters, destoners, belts, and grinders.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Abilities

  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Associate's degree
Doctoral degree

A normal week

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Getting Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word
  • Calendar and scheduling software Work scheduling software

Tools

  • Packaging compactors Cardboard balers · Horizontal balers · Material compactors
  • Front end loaders Utility work machines · Wheeled front end loaders
  • Screwdrivers Phillips head screwdrivers · Straight screwdrivers
  • Cargo trucks Recycling collection trucks · Tractor-trailer trucks
  • Sorters Fiber sorters · Magnetized can sorters

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Recycling and Reclamation Workers earn in South Africa?

Recycling and Reclamation Workers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Recycling and Reclamation Workers do?

Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling, Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins and Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.