Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Medium40.67%
Found in Industries:
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation servicesEducation servicesHealth care and social assistanceManufacturingProfessional, Scientific and Technical ServicesPublic administrationTransportation and warehousingOther services, except public administrationWholesale tradeAgriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$29,480
Median$37,660
High (90th %)$50,280
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Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
The occupation "Recycling and Reclamation Workers" has an automation risk of 40.7%, which is closely aligned with its base risk of 41.1%. This moderate risk level reflects the job’s combination of tasks that are both susceptible and resistant to automation. Many activities performed by recycling and reclamation workers, particularly those involving routine motion, present clear opportunities for the implementation of automated solutions. However, a notable segment of the work continues to demand manual labor and physical presence, limiting the current feasible extent of full automation. The top three most automatable tasks in this occupation are primarily routine and repetitive. Sorting materials (such as metals, glass, wood, paper, or plastics) into appropriate recycling containers can already be facilitated by emerging technologies like robotic arms and vision systems. Similarly, cleaning recycling yards through sweeping, raking, and picking up debris is a physical yet relatively simple set of tasks easily adaptable for robots or automated cleaning machines. Furthermore, operating forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to move bales or bundles are increasingly automatable as self-driving and remotely-operated machinery become more advanced and cost-effective for industrial environments. Conversely, several aspects of the job remain resistant to automation, keeping the overall risk moderate rather than high. Tasks such as operating automated refuse or manual recycling collection vehicles still require complex navigation and adaptability in unpredictable urban and residential environments, where robotic solutions remain unreliable. Likewise, collecting recyclables from curbside sites for transportation to facilities involves intricate interaction with diverse environments and obstacles. Operating processing equipment to sort, crush, or grind materials also demands hands-on technical skills and situational awareness that are currently challenging for machines to replicate consistently. Bottleneck skills like originality—though scored at just 2.0% and 1.9%—play a small but meaningful role in resisting automation, since inventive problem-solving and adaptability can be necessary in unexpected or unusual circumstances recycling and reclamation workers frequently encounter.
Filter by Automatable Status
Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
Automatable
Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
Non-Automatable
Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
Automatable
Clean, inspect, or lubricate recyclable collection equipment or perform routine maintenance or minor repairs on recycling equipment, such as star gears, finger sorters, destoners, belts, and grinders.
Non-Automatable
Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
Partially Automatable
Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
Partially Automatable
Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
Partially Automatable
Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
Partially Automatable
Clean materials, such as metals, according to recycling requirements.
Partially Automatable
Record logs of recycled materials or waste chemicals removed from products.
Automatable
Operate processing equipment, such as fiber-sorters and grinders, to sort, crush, or grind recyclable materials.
Partially Automatable
Collect recyclable materials from curbside for delivery to designated facilities.
Non-Automatable
Operate automated refuse or manual recycling collection vehicles.
Partially Automatable
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.
Non-Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and Counseling
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Medium36.40%
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Low25.86%
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Low24.71%
Help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying equipment or cleaning work area.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Medium49.31%
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Low32.98%
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Low30.19%
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Low31.21%
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth garments, suede, leather, furs, blankets, draperies, linens, rugs, and carpets. Includes spotters and dyers of these articles.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Medium52.51%
Operate or control an entire process or system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium48.23%
Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium61.82%
Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
High69.86%
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal, plastic, or rubber, to remove impurities.
Helpers--Production Workers
Medium60.30%
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Recycling Coordinators
Medium53.65%
Supervise curbside and drop-off recycling programs for municipal governments or private firms.
Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Medium44.52%
Control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles. May control speed and routing of materials or products.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Medium46.81%
Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Medium33.55%
Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Medium36.17%
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
High66.68%
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Medium40.81%
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Medium44.23%
Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.
Dishwashers
Low20.96%
Clean dishes, kitchen, food preparation equipment, or utensils.
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Low25.93%
Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties, such as cleaning floors, shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Low14.85%
Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.
Crematory Operators
Low18.75%
Operate crematory equipment to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments in accordance with state and local regulations. Duties may include preparing the body for cremation and performing general maintenance on crematory equipment. May use traditional flame-based cremation, calcination, or alkaline hydrolysis.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
Medium51.33%
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
High71.43%
Weigh, measure, and check materials, supplies, and equipment for the purpose of keeping relevant records. Duties are primarily clerical by nature. Includes workers who collect and keep record of samples of products or materials.
Log Graders and Scalers
Medium49.42%
Grade logs or estimate the marketable content or value of logs or pulpwood in sorting yards, millpond, log deck, or similar locations. Inspect logs for defects or measure logs to determine volume.
Stockers and Order Fillers
Medium56.05%
Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.