Solid Waste Technicians

Working Schedule

Solid Waste Technicians typically work full-time, with the potential for early morning or late evening shifts. They may work in residential neighborhoods, industrial sites, landfills, and recycling facilities.

Typical Duties

Not all Solid Waste Technicians perform the same duties. For example, some may work mainly at landfills or recycling centers. Others may focus more on collection and transportation.

Below is a list of potential duties depending on specific job and employer requirements.  

• Drive waste collection vehicles. Follow assigned routes and schedules to collect and transport waste from residential, commercial, and industrial sites to end destinations.
• Operate landfill equipment such as compactors, dozers, trucks, and waste collection vehicles.
• Sort recyclables and hazardous waste from general waste streams.
• Monitor waste disposal processes to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Perform maintenance and basic repairs on work-related vehicles, machinery, and associated equipment.
• Coordinate the sorting and separation of recyclable materials.
• Monitor and maintain environmental systems, such as leachate and gas collection systems.
• Maintain records of operations, including waste audits, disposal activities, and equipment usage.
• Ensure safety protocols are followed by staff and visitors at all times.
• Collaborate with other professionals to implement waste reduction and recycling programs.

Additional Duties

• Inspect landfill sites to identify and fix problems.
• Collect and share data to support environmental protection efforts.
• Help clean up dump sites. Handle and dispose of hazardous materials following safety protocols.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Schedule vehicle, machine, and equipment maintenance and repair, as needed.
• Report operational issues and violations to management or appropriate agencies.
• Anticipate problems and study contingency plans. Be ready to respond to emergencies.
• Support site expansion or closure projects.
• Engage in suitable training. Keep up with industry practices and technologies. 

Soft Skills

• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Customer service orientation
• Dependability
• Environmental awareness
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Physical stamina

Technical Skills

• Safe use and maintenance of vehicles, compactors, and other machinery.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal waste management laws and regulations.
• Waste sorting (recyclables, compostable materials, and hazardous waste)
• Hazardous materials handling
• Record-keeping (logging waste collections, vehicle maintenance, incidents, etc.)
• Safety procedures, including proper wear of personal protective equipment
• Basic mechanical skills

• Municipal waste management departments
• Private waste disposal companies
• Recycling facilities
• Environmental consulting firms
• Hazardous waste management companies

Solid Waste Technicians ensure all types of trash are handled safely, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable policies, regulations, and laws. This requires a commitment to public health and environmental protection.

The shifts can be long and the work can be physically demanding, often involving heavy lifting and exposure to various weather conditions. Technicians may need to work early or late evening shifts. They’ll often encounter unpleasant odors and possibly hazardous materials that require following strict safety protocols. 

Because so much solid waste is produced, there are many trends related to reducing waste and improving processing methods. For example, AI-powered sorting machines and sensor-equipped waste bins are boosting the efficiency of waste collection and recycling while cutting labor costs and optimizing routes.

Zero-waste initiatives and circular economy models are decreasing waste through reuse, recycling, and composting. Meanwhile, governments are enforcing tougher disposal regulations for companies, particularly for those that generate hazardous and plastic waste.

Many areas are implementing bans or restrictions on single-use plastics, leading waste management companies to boost their ability to process plastic alternatives. Waste-to-energy plants are converting non-recyclable waste into electricity and fuel, reducing landfill reliance, but there are concerns about the harmful emissions created by this process.

Other trends include curbside composting for organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings, increased public education on recycling practices and waste reduction, and sustainable waste management strategies such as extended producer responsibility programs.

Solid Waste Technicians are typically practical, hands-on individuals who enjoy working outdoors. Many have a sense of environmental responsibility and enjoy recycling and participating in community cleanups.