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Recycling Processor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Warehouse Recycling Processor Location: Bolingbrook, IL Shifts Available: * 1st Shift: 5:00am - 2:30pm * 2nd Shift: 2:30pm - 11:00pm Pay Rate: $20.45/hr Join our team as a Warehouse Recycling ...

WI · On-site

Summary The Disposal & Special Collections Division Director is responsible for providing leadership and oversight to the special collection teams, recycling processing operations, lead analytical ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

Job Title: Recycling Team Lead Shift: 1st Shift 8:30am - 5:30pm. Monday - Friday. Location ... Experienced top-quality candidates are the result of our extensive screening process, in-depth ...

Job Title: Recycling Team Lead Shift: 1st Shift 8:30am - 5:30pm. Monday - Friday. Location ... Experienced top-quality candidates are the result of our extensive screening process, in-depth ...

Job Title: Recycling Team Lead Shift: 1st Shift 8:30am - 5:30pm. Monday - Friday. Location ... Experienced top-quality candidates are the result of our extensive screening process, in-depth ...

In this role, you will operate light, power-driven equipment used for recycling collection and processing, and your responsibilities will include semi-skilled preventative maintenance tasks and ...

Job Title: Recycling Team Lead Shift: 1st Shift 8:30am - 5:30pm. Monday - Friday. Location ... Experienced top-quality candidates are the result of our extensive screening process, in-depth ...

As an MRF Sorter, you will play a vital role in the recycling process by identifying and separating different materials, ensuring efficiency and quality in waste recovery. This is a hands-on role in ...

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Recycling Processor information

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$8

$16

$25

How much do recycling processor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for recycling processor in the United States is $16.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recycling processor?

Recycling Processors are workers responsible for sorting, cleaning, and processing recyclable materials such as paper, plastics, metals, and glass. They operate machinery that separates and prepares these materials for reuse or shipment to recycling facilities. Their work helps reduce landfill waste and conserves natural resources by ensuring that items are properly recycled. Recycling Processors must follow safety guidelines, identify non-recyclable items, and sometimes perform light maintenance on equipment. They play a vital role in the recycling supply chain and environmental sustainability.

What are the most common challenges faced by recycling processors, and how can they be managed on the job?

Recycling Processors often encounter challenges such as sorting contaminated or improperly separated materials, operating heavy machinery safely, and maintaining production efficiency during busy periods. To manage these issues, it's important to follow safety protocols, stay updated on proper sorting techniques, and communicate effectively with team members. Many facilities also provide regular training and support, making it easier for new hires to adapt and succeed in the role.

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

To thrive as a Recycling Processor, you need attention to detail, physical stamina, and a basic understanding of material sorting and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with conveyor systems, balers, forklifts, and safety equipment is typically required, along with any necessary safety certifications. Reliability, teamwork, and strong communication are important soft skills for maintaining workflow and safety in a fast-paced environment. These skills ensure efficient processing, workplace safety, and the successful diversion of recyclable materials from landfills.

Is recycling a good career path?

Recycling processor jobs involve sorting and processing recyclable materials, often requiring physical stamina and attention to safety protocols. The field offers stable employment with opportunities for advancement and may require knowledge of environmental regulations and equipment operation. It can be a rewarding career for those interested in sustainability and environmental impact.

What is the difference between Recycling Processor vs Recycling Technician?

AspectRecycling ProcessorRecycling Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles may require certifications in safety or machineryHigh school diploma; certifications in equipment operation or safety often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, recycling plants, processing facilitiesRecycling centers, processing plants, field sites
Job DutiesSorting, processing, and preparing recyclable materials for shipmentMaintaining equipment, troubleshooting, and assisting in processing tasks

Recycling Processors focus on sorting and preparing recyclable materials, while Recycling Technicians often handle equipment maintenance and troubleshooting. Both roles work in recycling facilities and may require similar certifications, but their daily tasks differ slightly, with Processors more involved in material handling and Technicians in equipment upkeep.

Who are the top companies hiring for Recycling Processor jobs?

The top employers for Recycling Processor jobs are:

Infographic showing various Recycling Processor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,822 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Recycling Process Engineer

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Columbus, MS • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Steel Dynamics rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

Subsidiary
Aluminum Dynamics
Overview
Aluminum Dynamics Inc is seeking a Process Engineer for our Starkville/Columbus Mississippi Greenfield State of the art Aluminum UBC Recycling and slab casting facility. The position will support the process' of UBC Recycling including shredding, delacquering, melting, molten metal processing, and slab casting. The engineer will work closely with experienced engineers, operations, and laboratory personnel to startup the UBC production process, assist with process monitoring and troubleshooting, and support continuous improvement efforts. This position offers hands on exposure to a greenfield startup environment and provides strong development toward a long-term engineering career within SDI.
Responsibilities
  • Support the automated continuous process of processing used beverage cans into molten aluminum
  • Assist with process data collection, analysis, and reporting to support operational decision making.
  • Support commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting of equipment and process systems.
  • Help develop, maintain, and follow standard operating procedures and work instructions.
  • Track and analyze key process performance metrics such as throughput, yield, energy use, and product quality using Excel and related tools.
  • Collaborate with laboratory personnel to interpret test results and connect data to process performance.
  • Follow all safety policies, participate in safety reviews and training, and support required process and environmental documentation.
  • Work collaboratively with operations, maintenance, laboratory, and engineering teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Materials Science, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Strong academic foundation in mass and energy balances, thermodynamics, and basic process control.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and basic data analysis.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Willingness to learn, take initiative, and work in a hands on manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to work effectively with others and communicate clearly.
  • Work experience in manufacturing, chemical processing, energy, or materials industries.
  • Exposure to laboratory work or industrial data collection.
  • Interest in sustainability, renewable energy, or decarbonization technologies.

Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.

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About Steel Dynamics

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Steel Dynamics is one of the largest and most diversified domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States, with an estimated steelmaking and coating capacity of approximately 13 million tons, and facilities located throughout the United States and in Mexico. We operate using a circular manufacturing model, producing lower-carbon-emission, quality steel using electric arc furnace (EAF) technology with recycled ferrous scrap as the primary input. Our circular economy is powered by our three primary operating platforms: steel, metals recycling, and steel fabrication. Our steel operations produce steel products, including hot roll, cold roll, and coated sheet steel, structural steel beams and shapes, rail, engineered special-bar-quality steel, cold finished steel, merchant bar products, and specialty steel sections. Our metals recycling operations collect and process ferrous and nonferrous scrap from manufacturing and end-of-life items, such as automobiles, appliances, and machinery. This processed scrap is then sold to end-users for reuse, including our EAF steel mills, which produce new steel from the scrapped material. We sell a meaningful amount of steel to our own steel fabrication operations that in turn produce and sell structural steel joist and deck building systems to consumers.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Wayne, IN, US

Year founded

1993