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Recycling Attendant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bulky Waste Site Attendant

ID ยท On-site

$18.47/hr

Sunshine Disposal & Recycling has an opening for a part-time employee as a Site Attendant for Bulky Waste drop off in Latah County. The site is located near Potlatch, ID. This is a part time, day ...

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Recycling Attendant information

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How much do recycling attendant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for recycling attendant in the United States is $16.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recycling attendant?

Recycling Attendants are workers responsible for assisting the public at recycling centers, ensuring that materials are sorted correctly, and maintaining the cleanliness and safety of the facility. They help educate individuals about proper recycling practices, monitor bins for contamination, and may operate equipment to process recyclable items. Their role is important for promoting environmental sustainability and efficient waste management in the community.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recycling attendant?

To thrive as a Recycling Attendant, you need a good understanding of waste sorting procedures, basic safety awareness, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with recycling machinery, weighing systems, and possibly forklift certification is typical for the role. Attention to detail, strong communication, and reliability help Recycling Attendants excel in interacting with the public and maintaining site organization. These skills ensure safe, efficient recycling operations and promote environmental sustainability.

What are some typical challenges recycling attendants face on the job, and how can they be managed?

Recycling Attendants often encounter challenges such as sorting contaminated or incorrectly disposed materials, working in varying weather conditions, and maintaining safety standards around heavy equipment. To address these issues, attentiveness to detail is essential, as well as a solid understanding of recycling protocols. Teamwork and clear communication with supervisors and colleagues help ensure a safe and efficient workflow. Most organizations also provide ongoing training and support to help attendants stay updated on best practices.

What is the difference between Recycling Attendant vs Waste Management Worker?

AspectRecycling AttendantWaste Management Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; safety trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent; safety training
Work EnvironmentRecycling centers, curbside pickup, waste sorting facilitiesLandfills, collection trucks, waste processing sites
Employer & IndustryMunicipal waste departments, recycling companiesWaste management companies, municipal services
Job FocusSorting recyclables, maintaining collection areasCollecting, transporting, and disposing of waste

Recycling Attendants and Waste Management Workers both operate within waste and recycling industries, often requiring similar certifications and safety training. Recycling Attendants focus on sorting recyclables and maintaining collection sites, while Waste Management Workers handle waste collection and disposal. Both roles are essential for environmental sustainability and are commonly employed by municipal and private waste services.

What states have the most Recycling Attendant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Recycling Attendant jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Recycling Attendant jobs?

For Recycling Attendant jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Recycling Attendant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $35,054 per year, or $16.9 per hour.

Recycling Attendant - Part Time

Village of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Pleasant Prairie, WI โ€ข On-site

$15 - $18/hr

Part-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Description
This year-round part-time Recycling Attendant position reports to the Sanitation Crew Lead and Highway Superintendent. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide accurate information and direction to residents regarding acceptable materials at the Residential Recycling Center. Hours for this position are Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. year-round, a minimum of 8 hours per week with the opportunity for up to an average of 29 hours per week. Workdays may fluctuate with some holiday and overtime work required.
Job Duties
  • Open, monitor, close, and secure the Residential Recycling Center on all scheduled operating days.
  • Greet residents, answer questions, provide assistance, and direct traffic at drop-off locations
  • Accurately verifies eligibility for site usage and enters details into a hand-held digital device, screens and categorizes vehicle loads, and provides directions to residents at the entrance gate.
  • Assists the public in placing materials in proper containers; determines if waste is acceptable; sorts materials properly.
  • Maintains containers to ensure adequate space for continued disposal and calls in collection requests as needed.
  • Take and record compost temperatures as required.
  • Accurately document daily work, maintenance activities, and vehicle information using asset management software and be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Assist in asphalt patching and paving operations, gravel road shoulders, garbage and leaf collection, clean roadsides, fabricate and place signs.
  • Assist in shoveling, salting and deicing operations.
  • Knowledge of tools and equipment used in general maintenance and perform routine maintenance tasks.
  • Complete and maintain accurate records and reports and make arithmetic computations.
  • Report any problems or concerns to management in a timely manner.
  • Performs other duties and special assignments as directed within the scope of the Public Works Department.
  • Follow all applicable safety precautions, policies, procedures, and Village codes and ordinances while completing assigned tasks.

Requirements
Physical:
  • Essential job functions of this position require a significant amount of standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, stooping, crouching, kneeling, climbing, and lifting and carrying a range of weight up to 100 pounds.
  • Must be capable of physically demanding work in inclement weather for an extended period of time and in areas of noxious odors and smells, in wet or muddy areas, work in close proximity to loud and moving equipment and work in an environment where the noise level is usually moderately loud.
  • Must have the ability to recognize possible exposure to carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as carbon monoxide, gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfate, or organic solvents either through inhalation or skin contact.
  • Frequent public interaction which requires the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
  • Perform the essential functions of the position safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Work effectively both independently with limited supervision and collaboratively as part of a team.

Educational, Certifications, and Experience:
  • Must be age 18 or older.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Valid Driver's License and an acceptable driving record.