Science & ResearchISCO 2143
Recycling specialist
Recycling specialists research recycling policies and legislation, and supervise implementation in an organisation to ensure that waste management occurs according to regulations. They perform inspections, provide recycling equipment, and supervise recycling workers. They also advise organisations on ways they can improve their waste management procedures.
Check yourself in a minute: recycling specialist
Rate 5 of the 21 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
ensure compliance with environmental legislation
ensure compliance with waste legislative regulations
obtain relevant licenses
inspect recycling procedures
oversee quality control
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (21)
circular economycircular economyThe circular economy aims to keep materials and products in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them while in use and recycling them at the end of their life cycle. It impro...waste managementwaste managementThe methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal. It excludes procedures related to waste inciner...environmental legislationenvironmental legislationThe environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.hazardous waste storagehazardous waste storageThe regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....ensure compliance with waste legislative regulationsensure compliance with waste legislative regulationsImplement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.maintain recycling recordsmaintain recycling recordsMaintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.obtain relevant licensesobtain relevant licensesComply with specific legal regulations, e.g. install the necessary systems and provide the necessary documentation, in order to obtain the relevant license.inspect recycling proceduresinspect recycling proceduresInspect the implementation of waste management and recycling procedures in an organisation, and the applicable legislation, in order to ensure compliance.oversee quality controloversee quality controlMonitor and assure the quality of the provided goods or services by overseeing that all the factors of the production meet quality requirements. Supervise product inspection and testing.carry out environmental auditscarry out environmental auditsUse equipment to measure various environmental parameters in order to identify environmental problems and investigate manners in which they can be resolved. Perform inspections in order to ensure comp...update licensesupdate licensesUpdate and display all necessary licenses as required by regulatory agencies.develop recycling programsdevelop recycling programsDevelop and coordinate recycling programs; collect and process recyclable materials in order to reduce waste.identify new recycling opportunitiesidentify new recycling opportunitiesInvestigate ideas and spot opportunities to improve the collection, process and recycling of waste materials.promote environmental awarenesspromote environmental awarenessPromote sustainability and raise awareness about the environmental impact of human and industrial activity based on the carbon footprints of business processes and other practices.monitor legislation developmentsmonitor legislation developmentsMonitor changes in rules, policies and legislation, and identify how they may influence the organisation, existing operations, or a specific case or situation.train staff on recycling programstrain staff on recycling programsTrain employees on the type of recycling methods and programs available for a company and all its procedures and policies that should be taken account of.follow recycling collection schedulesfollow recycling collection schedulesFollow and apply waste collection schedules, handed out by the organisations who collect and process the materials for recycling, in order to optimise efficiency and service.manage recycling program budgetmanage recycling program budgetManage the annual recycling program and respective budget of an organisation.build business relationshipsbuild business relationshipsEstablish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the orga...advise on waste management proceduresadvise on waste management proceduresAdvise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environ...
Optional (14) — show
train staff to reduce food wastetrain staff to reduce food wasteEstablish new trainings and staff development provisions to support staff knowledge in food waste prevention and food recycling practices. Ensure that staff understands methods of and tools for food r...follow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthfollow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthAdhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result i...operate recycling processing equipmentoperate recycling processing equipmentOperate recycling processing equipment such as granulators, crushers and balers; process and sort materials to be recycled.educate on recycling regulationseducate on recycling regulationsEducate organisations and individuals on the correct procedures and legislation concerning the recycling of different types of waste in different types of containers, waste collection procedures, and ...design indicators for food waste reductiondesign indicators for food waste reductionDetermine key performance indicators (KPI) for reducing food waste and managing in line with established standards. Oversee the evaluation of methods, equipment and costs for food waste prevention.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.manage health and safety standardsmanage health and safety standardsOversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company's health and safety programmes.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.arrange equipment repairsarrange equipment repairsArrange for equipment repairs when necessary.ensure equipment availabilityensure equipment availabilityEnsure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.analyse environmental dataanalyse environmental dataAnalyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...conduct research on food waste preventionconduct research on food waste preventionResearch and evaluate methods, equipment and costs for reducing and managing food waste. Monitor recorded measurement data and identify areas for improvement relating to food waste prevention.develop food waste reduction strategiesdevelop food waste reduction strategiesDevelop policies such as staff meal or food redistribution to reduce, reuse and recycle food waste where possible. This includes reviewing purchasing policies to identify areas for reducing food waste...
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
waste management officer7 shared essential skillssustainability manager6 shared essential skillsenvironmental programme coordinator5 shared essential skillshazardous waste inspector5 shared essential skillsenvironmental engineer4 shared essential skillshazardous materials inspector4 shared essential skillsindustrial waste inspector4 shared essential skillssolid waste operator4 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a recycling specialist do?
Recycling specialists research recycling policies and legislation, and supervise implementation in an organisation to ensure that waste management occurs according to regulations. They perform inspections, provide recycling equipment, and supervise recycling workers. They also advise organisations on ways they can improve their waste management procedures.
What skills does a recycling specialist need?
A recycling specialist needs 21 essential skills, including circular economy, waste management, environmental legislation, hazardous waste storage, ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
Will AI replace recycling specialist jobs?
The AI disruption score for recycling specialist is 54/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: update licenses, maintain recycling records, monitor legislation developments. Most resilient: build business relationships, circular economy, train staff to reduce food waste.
AI Replacement Risk
54/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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