Refuse Collector Refuse Workers & Other Elementary Workers
SaveWhat Does a Refuse Collector Do?
Refuse collectors remove waste from homes and other facilities and put it in the bin lorry so it can be transported to a treatment and disposal facility. They assist the driver of the bin lorry, help unload the waste, and record the amount of refuse collected. They may also collect waste from construction and demolition sites, and hazardous waste.
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Where Do I Start?
Health, Safety And Hygiene Legislation
The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Refuse Collector
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialHealth, Safety And Hygiene Legislation knowledge
The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialWaste Management knowledge
The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.
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EssentialWaste And Scrap Products knowledge
The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAssess Waste Type skill
Identify waste materials during collection and sorting operations which can either be recycled, disposed of, or otherwise treated, in order to assess the way in which they need to be …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Waste skill
Manage or dispose of significant amounts of waste materials or hazardous materials. Ensure required licenses and permits are in place and reasonable management practices, industry standards, or commonly accepted farming …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCollect Domestic Waste skill
Collect non-hazardous waste from residential areas and homes in order to remove it from the area and transport it to a waste treatment and disposal facility.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCollect Industrial Waste skill
Collect non-hazardous or hazardous waste which is produced by industrial activities, such as paints, chemicals, industrial byproducts, and radioactive waste.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Refuse Collection Equipment skill
Identify and repair minor damage to refuse collection equipment as well as perform routine maintenance tasks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Waste Collection Records skill
Maintain records on waste collection routes, scheduling, and types and volume of waste collected.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 16 displayed)
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OptionalPollution Prevention knowledge
The 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.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalHazardous Waste Storage knowledge
The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalWaste Transport Legislation knowledge
Regulations and legislation concerning the safe transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, products, and appliances.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalDispose Of Hazardous Waste skill
Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDispose Of Non-hazardous Waste skill
Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Chemical Cleaning Agents skill
Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Recycling Records skill
Maintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReport Pollution Incidents skill
Examine the extent of the damage and consequences when an incident causes pollution, and report it to the relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSort Waste skill
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Personal Protection Equipment skill
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEducate On Recycling Regulations skill
Educate organisations and individuals on the correct procedures and legislation concerning the recycling of different types of waste in different types of containers, waste collection procedures, and on the sanctions …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmpty Community Waste Collection Bins skill
Empty containers placed on public sites used for the disposal of non-hazardous waste and transport the waste to waste treatment and disposal facilities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIdentify Damage To Public Space skill
Monitor the state of public spaces and properties, such as parks, roads, public buildings, and public squares, during work activities in order to identify recent damage and assess the gravity …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Recycling Containers skill
Take care of the installation of containers for recyclable waste, such as cardboard paper, glass bottles and clothing, in the appropriate places.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMonitor Civic Amenity Sites skill
Monitor sites and facilities which contain recycling points and in which individuals can dispose of domestic waste, in order to ensure safety, compliance with legislation, and that the public uses …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Recycling Processing Equipment skill
Operate recycling processing equipment such as granulators, crushers and balers; process and sort materials to be recycled.
Course recommendations coming soon.