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Recycling Machine Operator Jobs in Portland, ME (NOW HIRING)

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Recycling Machine Operator information

See Portland, ME salary details

$12

$18

$24

How much do recycling machine operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for recycling machine operator in Portland, ME is $18.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $19.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a recycling machine operator do?

A Recycling Machine Operator is responsible for operating machinery that sorts, processes, and prepares materials for recycling. They monitor equipment, ensure materials are processed correctly, and troubleshoot any issues that arise during operation. Operators may also perform routine maintenance on machines, keep records of operations, and follow safety procedures to ensure a safe working environment. Their role is crucial in helping reduce waste and support environmental sustainability.

What are some common challenges recycling machine operators face on the job, and how can they be managed?

Recycling Machine Operators often encounter challenges such as managing unexpected equipment malfunctions and ensuring the consistent quality of sorted materials. To address these issues, operators should stay vigilant with routine maintenance checks and promptly report irregularities to maintenance teams. Additionally, working efficiently within a team and following detailed safety protocols helps maintain productivity and a safe work environment. Continuous learning about new recycling technologies and processes can also help operators adapt to changes in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recycling machine operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recycling Machine Operator, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic mechanical aptitude, and experience with industrial machinery. Familiarity with conveyor systems, balers, shredders, and safety protocols is typically required, and OSHA certification can be beneficial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong teamwork skills make someone stand out in this position. These competencies ensure safe, efficient machine operation and help maintain productivity and compliance with environmental standards.

What is the difference between Recycling Machine Operator vs Recycling Technician?

AspectRecycling Machine OperatorRecycling Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; may require technical certifications
Work EnvironmentFactories, recycling plants, manufacturing facilitiesRecycling centers, waste management facilities, environmental sites
Job FocusOperating and maintaining recycling machineryInspecting, troubleshooting, and maintaining recycling systems
Common UsageUsed in manufacturing and processing plantsUsed in environmental and waste management sectors

The main difference between a Recycling Machine Operator and a Recycling Technician lies in their focus. The operator primarily runs and maintains recycling machinery, while the technician handles troubleshooting, repairs, and system inspections. Both roles are essential in recycling facilities, but they require different skill sets and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Recycling Machine Operator jobs in Portland, ME? For Recycling Machine Operator jobs in Portland, ME, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Recycling Machine Operator jobs in Portland, ME look for? The top searched job categories for Recycling Machine Operator jobs in Portland, ME are:
Infographic showing various Recycling Machine Operator job openings in Portland, ME as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,701 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

(USA) Truck Shop Refrigeration Technician - Lewiston, ME (3rd Shift)

Walmart

North Windham, ME • On-site

$34.15 - $37.65/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Walmart rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 22,398 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Position Summary... What you'll do...Key Responsibilities -Perform preventive maintenance and repairs on transport refrigeration units (TRUs) per original equipment manufacturer (OEM) procedures, including:
  • Repairing refrigeration trailer interior walls, floors, doors, and accessories (e.g., bulkheads, evaporator guards, remote controller).
  • Operating TRUs in normal, diagnostic, and service test modes.
  • Diagnosing and repairing TRU electrical systems using technical manuals and diagnostic tools (e.g., wiring diagrams, schematics, multimeter, laptop, and testers).
  • Servicing TRU refrigeration systems (e.g., reclaim/recycle, leak checks, solder repairs, and recharging).
  • Maintaining and repairing tractor climate control systems (e.g., auxiliary power units (APUs), heaters, and A/C units) and communication systems using technical/electronic equipment.
-Maintain and repair trailers in accordance with established procedures, including:
  • Electrical wiring, lighting, and light assemblies.
  • Landing gear.
  • Interior panels.
  • Roof repairs.
  • Tire seals.
  • Flooring.
  • Doors and threshold plates.
-Perform preventive maintenance on tractor-trailer braking system components (e.g., hydraulic, air, and anti-skid systems such as ABS/EBS) per established protocols, including adjustment and component replacement. Install and dismount tires on/off wheels using tire tools and machinery (e.g., tire machine, tire bar, wheel dolly), including:
  • Flat repairs.
  • Tire balancing per established protocols.
  • Advanced axle alignments using electronic/digital equipment (e.g., Hunter, Beeline).
-Receive fuel drops and conduct fuel sampling, including:
  • Monitoring fuel drops for safety compliance.
  • Following fuel additive procedures.
  • Monitoring tank levels before and after the drop.
  • Collecting and preparing fuel samples for analysis and shipping.
  • Completing required documentation.
-Identify and perform warrantable repairs by:
  • Accurately entering condition, cause, and correction information into the maintenance system.
  • Completing warranty tags as needed.
  • Ensuring parts are retained per warranty guidelines.
  • Creating and processing warranty claims to ensure proper credit is received per company guidelines.
-Assess maintenance, repair, and replacement needs by:
  • Identifying needed parts and potential solutions.
  • Consulting with others and selecting the best solution.
  • Performing preventive maintenance and repairs on Walmart equipment (e.g., tractors, trailers, road trucks, shop equipment, air compressors, forklifts, wash bay equipment, and service vehicles).
  • Performing repairs and replacements per company and Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines.
  • Completing work orders, records, logs, and other written or computer-based documentation per established procedures.
  • Assisting other technicians with equipment repair and maintenance.
Policies, Collaboration, and Work Practices
  • Comply with company policies, procedures, and standards of ethics and integrity by implementing related action plans, using the Open Door Policy, and applying these in business processes and practices.
  • Complete work assignments by using policies, data, and resources; collaborating with managers, coworkers, customers, and business partners; identifying priorities, deadlines, and expectations; carrying out tasks; communicating progress; recommending improvements; and adapting to change, challenges, and feedback.
Walmart Values and Behaviors Respect the Individual
  • Embrace differences in people, cultures, ideas, and experiences.
  • Create a workplace where associates feel seen, supported, and connected through a culture of belonging.
  • Create opportunities for all associates to thrive and perform; help attract the best talent.
  • Work as a team; build strong, trusting relationships; communicate with impact, energy, and positivity.
  • Strengthen the team by helping develop and mentor others; recognize contributions and accomplishments.
Act with Integrity
  • Maintain and promote the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and compliance.
  • Model Walmart values to support and foster our culture; hold self and others accountable.
  • Support Walmart’s goal of becoming a regenerative company by making a positive impact for associates, customers/members, and the world around us.
  • Act selflessly; remain humble, self-aware, honest, fair, and transparent.
Serve Our Customers and Members
  • Deliver results while putting the customer first.
  • Make decisions based on reliable information; balance short- and long-term priorities; consider how work impacts the team’s ability to deliver for all stakeholders.
Strive for Excellence
  • Display curiosity and a desire to learn; take calculated risks; demonstrate courage and resilience.
  • Drive continuous improvement; adopt new technologies and skills; support others through change.
Pay and Benefits At Walmart, we offer competitive pay, performance-based bonus awards, and benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
  • Health benefits: medical, vision, and dental coverage.
  • Financial benefits: 401(k), stock purchase plan, and company-paid life insurance.
  • Paid time off: PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
  • Other benefits: short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount depends on your job classification and length of employment and will meet or exceed paid sick leave law requirements where applicable. PTO info: https://one.walmart.com/notices Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor’s degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are paid for by Walmart. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms. Benefits and eligibility: One.Walmart.com Hourly Pay Range
  • $34.15 – $37.65*
*The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Premiums (Additional Compensation)
  • Additional compensation in the form of premiums may be paid in amounts ranging from $0.35/hour to $3.00/hour in specific circumstances. Premiums may be based on schedule, facility, season, or specific work performed. Multiple premiums may apply if applicable criteria are met.
At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices. Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The hourly wage range for this position is $37.10 - $40.60* *The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Additional compensation in the form of premiums may be paid in amounts ranging from $0.35 per hour to $3.00 per hour in specific circumstances. Premiums may be based on schedule, facility, season, or specific work performed. Multiple premiums may apply if applicable criteria are met.

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Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

3 years’ experience in trailer refrigeration maintenance and repair (e.g. diagnostic and component replacement)
EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Certification
Valid state-issued driver's license.
Brake inspection qualified as defined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, Section 396.25.
Vehicle Inspection qualified as defined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, Section 396.19. Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Both Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and Department of Transportation (DOT) driver's certification., Maintaining tractors and trailers (e.g., preventative maintenance, repairs), Thermo King Master Tech, Carrier Master Tech or equivalent, Using computer applications (e.g. email, spreadsheets, word processing) ASE Certification - CertificationPrimary Location... 239 GODDARD ROAD, LEWISTON, ME 04240-0000, United States of America Walmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.

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About Walmart

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

From our humble beginnings as a small discount retailer in Rogers, Ark., Walmart has opened thousands of stores in the U.S. and expanded internationally. Through innovation, we're creating a seamless experience to let customers shop anytime and anywhere online and in stores. We are creating opportunities and bringing value to customers and communities around the globe. Walmart operates approximately 10,500 stores and clubs in 19 countries and eCommerce websites. We employ 2.1 million associates around the world — nearly 1.6 million in the U.S. alone.

Industry

Retail and transportation and warehousing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bentonville, AR, US

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