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Recycling and Reclamation Workers

SOC 53-7062.04Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers sorting, yard maintenance, heavy equipment operation, routine mechanical upkeep, and administrative support tasks performed at recycling and reclamation facilities across all four career stages from entry-level sorter to facility lead.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Recyclable materials such as metals, glass, paper, and plastics — sort into designated containers under direct supervisor guidance at a recycling yard.
  2. Recycling yard surfaces — sweep, rake, and clear broken glass and loose paper debris following established safety protocols.
  3. Loose bins and barrels — reposition by hand or with a hand truck under close supervision to maintain a clean, organized work area.
  4. Forklift and pallet jack controls — identify and operate at low speed under direct instruction to move bales and bundles short distances.
  5. Basic hand tools and brooms — select and use appropriately under supervision to complete routine yard-cleaning assignments.
  6. Supervisor instructions and safety briefings — listen actively and follow step-by-step directions on the recycling floor.
  7. High-grade metals such as copper, brass, and aluminum — distinguish from mixed scrap metal using visual identification guides provided on site.
  8. Personal protective equipment including gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots — don and use consistently during all shift activities.
  9. Conveyor belts and sorting stations — monitor for obvious jams or irregularities and report issues to a lead worker immediately.
  10. Simple data entry tasks — record material weights and counts in a spreadsheet template using provided office suite software under supervision.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Mixed recyclable streams including metals, glass, wood, paper, and plastics — sort accurately and efficiently into correct containers with minimal oversight on a mid-volume sorting line.
  2. Recycling yard maintenance tasks — complete sweeping, raking, and debris removal on a scheduled basis without direct prompting from supervisors.
  3. Forklifts, power lifts, and front-end loaders — operate safely to load bales and heavy bundles onto outbound trucks for shipment to processing facilities.
  4. High-grade metals such as copper, brass, and aluminum — separate from general scrap streams using established grading criteria and accumulated on-the-job experience.
  5. Recyclable collection equipment — clean, inspect, and lubricate on a routine maintenance schedule, logging completed tasks in the facility's maintenance records.
  6. Star gears, finger sorters, and conveyor belts — perform minor adjustments and repairs following documented procedures with limited supervision.
  7. Equipment performance during processing runs — monitor consistently and identify early warning signs of mechanical issues before they cause downtime.
  8. Incoming and outgoing material volumes — track and enter into spreadsheet software accurately, supporting inventory and shipping documentation.
  9. Destoners and grinder equipment — operate and observe for deviations from normal function, escalating anomalies to maintenance staff promptly.
  10. New co-workers during onboarding shifts — demonstrate correct sorting procedures and yard safety practices through guided side-by-side instruction.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full sorting line operations across all recyclable material categories — manage autonomously during a complete shift, adjusting workflows to match incoming material mix.
  2. High-grade metal identification and separation — execute with consistent accuracy across varied and unfamiliar scrap loads, maximizing recovery value for the facility.
  3. Forklift, pallet jack, power lift, and front-end loader fleet — operate proficiently across all load types and ensure correct load securement before truck dispatch.
  4. Preventive maintenance schedules for star gears, finger sorters, destoners, belts, and grinders — execute fully and document outcomes using office suite and word processing software.
  5. Non-routine equipment faults on recycling machinery — diagnose cause and perform minor repairs independently, minimizing unplanned downtime on the processing floor.
  6. Yard safety and housekeeping standards — uphold consistently across all weather and volume conditions, intervening when hazards are observed at any point in the facility.
  7. Operational monitoring across sorting, loading, and equipment systems — synthesize observations to identify patterns and recommend adjustments to shift supervisors.
  8. Scheduling calendars for equipment maintenance and truck loading — maintain and coordinate using scheduling software to prevent conflicts and missed service windows.
  9. Compliance with public safety and environmental regulations on the recycling floor — apply working knowledge to daily decisions and flag potential violations proactively.
  10. Cross-trained roles including sorting, equipment operation, and yard maintenance — perform interchangeably to cover absences and meet variable production demands.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Facility-wide sorting and reclamation workflows — redesign and optimize to improve throughput, material quality, and compliance with environmental standards.
  2. Preventive and corrective maintenance programs for all recycling equipment — develop, schedule, and oversee to maximize uptime and extend equipment service life.
  3. Training curriculum for sorting procedures, equipment operation, and safety protocols — create and deliver to new and existing workers, raising overall team competency.
  4. Production and processing performance metrics — collect, analyze using spreadsheet software, and present to management to support data-driven operational decisions.
  5. High-value metal reclamation strategies — establish grading standards and separation protocols that increase recovery of copper, brass, aluminum, and other high-grade materials.
  6. Yard safety culture and emergency response readiness — lead by modeling best practices, conducting safety briefings, and coordinating drills across the full workforce.
  7. Forklift and heavy equipment fleet usage — oversee operator certification records, usage scheduling, and adherence to safe operating procedures at the organizational level.
  8. Relationships with smelters, processing facilities, and haulers — manage to ensure reliable outbound logistics and favorable terms for recycled material shipments.
  9. Administrative systems including scheduling, personnel records, and compliance documentation — direct using office suite and word processing tools to support smooth facility operations.
  10. Organizational capacity for handling non-routine events such as equipment failures, volume surges, or regulatory inspections — plan and lead response efforts that maintain continuous operations.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors31 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Auto Dismantler · Bobcat Driver · Box Sorter · Computer Recycling Worker · Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech) · Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist) · Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Worker · Materials Sorter · Non-Ferrous Material Handler · Pallet Sorter · Reclamation Worker · Recyclable Materials Sorter
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Operation and ControlActive ListeningMonitoringOperations Monitoring
Knowledge domains
Production and ProcessingMechanicalAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePersonnel and Human Resources
Abilities
Manual DexterityControl PrecisionNear VisionArm-Hand SteadinessMultilimb CoordinationTrunk StrengthFinger DexterityCategory FlexibilityOral ComprehensionOral Expression
Work styles
—
Technology
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing softwareCalendar and scheduling software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
  2. Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
  3. 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.
  4. Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
  5. 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.
CIP education codes
49.020849.010649.010249.010849.010551.0810

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.