Solid Waste Operator Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Solid Waste Operator Do?
Solid waste operators operate and maintain solid waste treatment and distribution equipment, and test samples to monitor pollution. They assist in the collection and disposal of solid waste, such as construction and demolition debris, and ensure treatment is compliant to safety regulations. They ensure community waste containers are emptied, ensure proper differentiation between waste which needs to be recycled or disposed of, and monitor equipment.
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Where Do I Start?
Waste And Scrap Products
The offered waste and scrap products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
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 Solid Waste Operator
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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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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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.
Recommended Books
2 books -
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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EssentialDispose 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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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Environmental Legislation skill
Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Waste Legislative Regulations skill
Implement and monitor company procedures for the collection, transport and disposal of waste, in compliance with all regulations and legal requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Equipment Availability skill
Ensure that the necessary equipment is provided, ready and available for use before start of procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain 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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EssentialTest Samples For Pollutants skill
Measure concentrations of pollutants within samples. Calculate air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes. Identify potential safety or health risks such as radiation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTroubleshoot skill
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate With Waste Collectors skill
Communicate with workers who collect waste from various places and transport it to the waste treatment facilities in order to ensure optimal cooperation and efficient operation of waste treatment and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialControl Delivered Waste skill
Carry out receiving controls identifying, inspecting and declaring the delivered waste.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Waste Treatment Equipment skill
Monitor the operations of equipment used for the treatment and disposal of hazardous or non-hazardous waste to ensure that it is functional, compliant with legislation, and to check for faults.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate 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.
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.
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OptionalHazardous Waste Types knowledge
The different types of waste which poses risks to the environment or public health and safety, such as radioactive waste, chemicals and solvents, electronics, and mercury-containing waste.
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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OptionalAdvise On Waste Management Procedures skill
Advise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environmental awareness.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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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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OptionalSort Waste skill
Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollect 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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OptionalCollect 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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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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OptionalEstablish Waste Collection Routes skill
Establish and outline the routes which would ensure efficient and fast waste collection in the designated area.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInspect Recycling Procedures skill
Inspect the implementation of waste management and recycling procedures in an organisation, and the applicable legislation, in order to ensure compliance.
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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OptionalMaintain Waste Collection Records skill
Maintain records on waste collection routes, scheduling, and types and volume of waste collected.
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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OptionalRemove Debris skill
Remove the waste from a construction or demolition site, or debris caused as consequence of a natural disaster, in order to secure the area and facilitate further working operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalStore Sorted Waste skill
Store waste materials, products, and appliances which have been sorted into separate categories for recycling or disposal into the appropriate containers and storage equipment or facilities.
Course recommendations coming soon.