Refuse Collectors

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for refuse and recyclable material collectors will grow as fast as average for all careers through 2029 as a result of the growing U.S. population (which is generating more garbage and recyclable materials). As communities encourage more recycling and more resource recovery technologies, more varied pickup services may tend to require more workers, expanding the employment opportunities in both the public and private sector. Additionally, job turnover is high in this field. Every year, many positions will become available as workers transfer to other jobs or leave the workforce.

Opportunities will be best in heavily populated regions in and near big cities, where the most waste is generated. In cities, increasing use of mechanized equipment for lifting and emptying large refuse containers may decrease the need for these workers.

A trend that favors use of large, nationally based waste management corporations is eliminating smaller competitors in some areas. This suggests that job security may depend on the size of the employer. As recycling becomes more lucrative, large companies may concentrate on this aspect of waste disposal.