Career Suggestion

Bin worker

Bin workers collect household and commercial waste for disposal or recycling.

Average salary (a year)

£24000.0 to £30000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

38.0 to 40.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

You can get into this job through:

You could apply to do a Waste Resource Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship typically takes a year to complete and is a mix of training on the job and off-site learning.

You'll usually need:

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can apply directly to job vacancies through your local council , employment agencies and waste management companies.

Employers set their own entry requirements but you'll be expected to be physically fit and a good timekeeper.

Shift allowances, overtime and driving duties can increase take home pay.

You'll need:

You'll need to:

You'll need a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence to apply for jobs that include driving the bin collection lorry.

As a bin worker, you could:

You could work in the community or at a waste recycling site.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically demanding and dirty.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

With experience and training, you could become a bin crew team leader or supervisor.

You might also train to become a:

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