Guide to Jobs in Recycling and Waste Management in Canada

With an average salary of over $66,000 per year, a job in recycling and waste management in Canada is a viable career path to consider. With greater access to recycling and waste management programs, more Canadian households are recycling larger quantities than ever recorded, with more employees required to operate these programs.

Considering these two facts, waste management job opportunities in Canada are worth considering, but these jobs are not without their challenges. Finding the right kind of waste management job that you want to turn into a lifelong career takes careful consideration, and this is what we’re here to help with. Let’s take an in depth look at the recycling and waste management job sector in Canada.

Recycling and Waste Management Job Description

Recycling and waste management jobs include a variety of roles aimed at the collection, processing and disposing of various types of waste materials, generally in an eco-friendly manner.

Waste management jobs can involve many types of tasks and duties, from manual labour and operating heavy machinery to coordinating waste disposal services and data management.

Some of the key roles that you might fill in this sector include collecting waste, sorting and processing recyclables and waste, managing hazardous waste, and overseeing operations and landfills.

Recycling and Waste Management Job Duties

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Although the exact duties of a recycling and waste management employee depend on the nature of the position, there are some common responsibilities that most recycling and waste management employees can expect to encounter. These include the following:

• Collecting recyclables and waste from commercial, residential, and industrial locations.
• Sorting and processing recyclable materials from non-recyclable materials and processing them appropriately.
• Operating machinery such as garbage trucks, bailers, compactors and other waste collection and sorting equipment.
• Ensuring that landfill operations adhere to all environmental rules and standards.
• Safely disposing of hazardous waste and materials to prevent environmental contamination.
• Recording and reporting data of collected waste and generating reports to ensure regulatory compliance.

Recycling and Waste Management Job Requirements

There’s a diverse range of jobs in waste management. In general, a lot of operational jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent as well as some sort of certification (e.g. for operating heavy machinery, for hazardous waste management, for occupational health and safety or a commercial driver’s licence).

Management, consulting and engineering type of jobs generally require post-secondary education such as in environmental science or a related field.

Certain jobs in the recycling and waste management industry also require physical strength and stamina, the ability to operate machinery and attention to detail.

Physical Demands

Depending on the position, it can be a physically demanding job. Often employees are required to carry and lift heavy objects, to operate vehicles and heavy machinery, to work outdoors in poor weather conditions, to perform repetitive tasks and to stand for long periods of time.

How to Get Recycling and Waste Management Jobs in Canada

As with other jobs, there’s a few ways you can find a recycling and waste management job. You can look for job openings on company websites, government employment portals and job boards. This is where most people start, though it can often prove to be a challenging and time-consuming process – given the sheer number of applicants it can be hard to make your resume stand out from the rest, or even get looked at in the first place.

Alternatively, you can do some networking, either online using social networks, by attending events or talking to your personal network. Another option you could try is connecting with a recruitment agency and they could help place you in a suitable position. Or you could do internships or co-op placements with a company that then ends up leading to a full-time position.

The Job Outlook for Recycling and Waste Management in Canada

Although finding exact figures at this time is difficult, it’s estimated that the Canadian waste management market size in 2023 was USD $34.5 billion and is expected to reach USD $49.16 billion by 2030.

Based on the above figures, it’s safe to assume that as the market grows, the number of recycling and waste management jobs will continue to grow to keep up.

The Average Salary in Recycling and Waste Management in Canada

Recycling and waste management employees in Canada can expect to make an average of $66,314 per year, with entry-level positions starting at an average of $39,059 per year. Experienced recycling and waste management employees can expect to make as much as $127,316 per year.

How much do management employees make per hour in Canada?

The average hourly rate for recycling and waste management employees in Canada is $34.01 per hour.

Different Types of Recycling and Waste Management Jobs

There are many different types of recycling and waste management jobs available in Canada, and here are just a few of the most common ones.

City Waste Management Jobs

Some of the most common recycling and waste management jobs are city waste management jobs, which involve a variety of municipal waste collection and disposal services. These jobs generally involve the collection of residential and commercial waste, the sorting of recyclables and proper disposal.

Truck Driver Jobs

Related to the above, although truck driver waste management jobs may be private or government, these jobs involve the transportation of waste and recyclables to landfills and processing facilities. This job requires a commercial driver’s license.

Hazardous Waste Management

Another type of recycling and waste management job is hazardous waste management. Hazardous waste management generally involves the disposing and handling of dangerous materials, such as medical waste and chemicals. This job requires workers to follow strict safety protocols to prevent health risks and environmental contamination.

Waste Water Management

Another common type of recycling and waste management job is wastewater management. Wastewater management jobs generally involve the treatment and disposal of industrial waste and sewage. These workers often operate treatment plans and monitor water quality to ensure compliance with a variety of regulations.

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