LogisticsISCO 9612

Sorter labourer

A sorter labourer is a person who separates recyclable material from the waste that comes in with it, so that what leaves the plant can actually be recycled.

Take the free test Check yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 89/100 (very high risk)

Check yourself in a minute: sorter labourer

Rate 5 of the 9 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

sort waste

assess waste type

operate recycling processing equipment

store sorted waste

manage waste

About sorter labourer

The work is physical and exact at the same time. Working along a line or at a picking station, the sorter identifies the waste types passing in front of them, separates them into their streams, and removes what cannot be recycled. Recycling plant equipment is operated as the work requires, and sorted waste is stored in the places and the conditions set for each material. Cleaning tasks are carried out on the material and the station, and the sorter communicates with the collectors who bring loads in about what a load actually contains.

Waste regulations govern everything here. A product sorting worker handles waste and scrap products within the rules on waste management, which decide what may be mixed, stored and sent on.

The work calls for quick and accurate recognition of materials by sight and feel, for stamina on a line that keeps moving, and for care with protective equipment around sharp and contaminated material. Requirements for the post are set by the employer and by the waste rules of each country.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (9)

health, safety and hygiene legislationhealth, safety and hygiene legislationThe set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.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...waste and scrap productswaste and scrap productsThe offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.sort wastesort wasteManually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.communicate with waste collectorscommunicate with waste collectorsCommunicate with workers who collect waste from various places and transport it to the waste treatment facilities in order to ensure optimal cooperation and efficient operation of waste treatment and ...assess waste typeassess waste typeIdentify waste materials during collection and sorting operations in order to assess whether they need to be recycled, disposed of, or otherwise be treated.operate recycling processing equipmentoperate recycling processing equipmentOperate recycling processing equipment such as granulators, crushers and balers; process and sort materials to be recycled.store sorted wastestore sorted wasteStore waste materials, products, and appliances which have been sorted into separate categories for recycling or disposal into the appropriate containers and storage equipment or facilities.manage wastemanage wasteManage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials and/or hazardous materials, in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities. Ensure required l...

Optional (17) — show

electronics principleselectronics principlesThe study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.pollution preventionpollution preventionThe processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.hazardous waste storagehazardous waste storageThe regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.maintain sorting equipmentmaintain sorting equipmentPerform routine maintenance as well as minor repairs on the equipment used for sorting waste and recyclable materials.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.operate forkliftoperate forkliftOperate a forklift, a vehicle with a pronged device in front for lifting and carrying heavy loads.assess contaminationassess contaminationAnalyse evidence of contamination. Advise on how to decontaminate.stack goodsstack goodsStack goods and manufactured products into containers. This may include anticipating the need for and utilising additional protective materials in stacking the products.dispose of hazardous wastedispose of hazardous wasteDispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.maintain recycling recordsmaintain recycling recordsMaintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.dispose of non-hazardous wastedispose of non-hazardous wasteDispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures except for waste incineration.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.avoid contaminationavoid contaminationAvoid the mixing or contamination of materials.drain hazardous liquidsdrain hazardous liquidsDrain substances which pose health and safety risks from equipment, appliances or installations in order to store the liquids according to safety guidelines and dispose or treat them as required.remove contaminantsremove contaminantsUse chemicals and solvents to remove contaminants from products or surfaces.report pollution incidentsreport pollution incidentsWhen an incident causes pollution, examine the extent of the damage and what the consequences could be and report it relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

recycling worker6 shared essential skills refuse collector5 shared essential skills solid waste operator5 shared essential skills hazardous waste technician3 shared essential skills landfill supervisor3 shared essential skills street sweeper3 shared essential skills waste management officer3 shared essential skills food technologist2 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a sorter labourer do?

Sorter labourers sort recyclable materials and waste from a recycling stream, and ensure no unsuitable materials wind up among the recyclable materials. They inspect the materials and perform cleaning duties, and work in compliance with waste regulations.

What skills does a sorter labourer need?

A sorter labourer needs 9 essential skills, including health, safety and hygiene legislation, waste management, waste and scrap products, sort waste, communicate with waste collectors.

Will AI replace sorter labourer jobs?

The AI disruption score for sorter labourer is 89/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: maintain recycling records, assess waste type, health, safety and hygiene legislation. Most resilient: electricity, drain hazardous liquids, stack goods.

AI Replacement Risk

89/ 100

Very High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

maintain recycling records assess waste type health, safety and hygiene legislation

Skills resilient to automation

electricity drain hazardous liquids stack goods

This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.

Check your own AI risk

View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorLogistics

ISCO GroupRefuse workers and other elementary workers

Essential Skills9

Is sorter labourer right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test