# Recycling and Reclamation Workers

> Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 53-7062.04
- **Summary:** Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.

## Aliases

- Non-Ferrous Material Handler
- Sort Line Worker
- Sorter
- Transfer Station Operator
- Bobcat Driver
- Box Sorter
- Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech)
- Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist)
- Auto Dismantler
- Computer Recycling Worker
- Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Worker
- Materials Sorter

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers. | Supplemental | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling. | Core | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Clean materials, such as metals, according to recycling requirements. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.1.h |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.h |
| Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling. | Core | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Record logs of recycled materials or waste chemicals removed from products. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Operate processing equipment, such as fiber-sorters and grinders, to sort, crush, or grind recyclable materials. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| 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. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Decontaminate equipment or sites to remove hazardous or toxic substances. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Sort recyclable materials. | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Operate recycling equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Operate forklifts or other loaders. | 4.A.3.a.3.h |
| Operate grinding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Clean materials to prepare them for production. | 4.A.3.a.1.h |
| Clean work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Repair production equipment or tools. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.88 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.75 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.62 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.51 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.5 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.5 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.5 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.49 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.48 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.35 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.25 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.21 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3.12 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.12 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.1 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | knowledge | 3.02 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | ability | 3 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Sales and Marketing | knowledge | 2.95 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 2.88 |
| Response Orientation | ability | 2.88 |
| Static Strength | ability | 2.88 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 2.88 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 2.88 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 2.75 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Work scheduling software | Calendar and scheduling software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.85 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.43 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.33 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.32 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.24 |
| Contact With Others | 4.02 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 4.02 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 3.94 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.81 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.72 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.67 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 3.64 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.61 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.6 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.58 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.56 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.56 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.54 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.51 |
| Time Pressure | 3.5 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.4 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.33 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.32 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.28 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.19 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.17 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.14 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 3.12 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.12 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.05 |
| Telephone Conversations | 2.97 |
| Consequence of Error | 2.97 |
| Level of Competition | 2.77 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.72 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 2.63 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.49 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.43 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.35 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.33 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.25 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 74.12 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 14.55 |
| Doctoral Degree | 8.01 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.87 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 1.45 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.28 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.39 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.04 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.59 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1.28 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 53-1042.01 | role-53-1042-01 | Recycling Coordinators | Primary-Short |
| 47-4041.00 | role-47-4041-00 | Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | Primary-Short |
| 53-7081.00 | role-53-7081-00 | Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | Primary-Short |
| 51-9111.00 | role-51-9111-00 | Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 53-7062.00 | role-53-7062-00 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | Primary-Short |
| 53-7061.00 | role-53-7061-00 | Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | Primary-Long |
| 53-7063.00 | role-53-7063-00 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | Primary-Long |
| 47-5081.00 | role-47-5081-00 | Helpers--Extraction Workers | Primary-Long |
| 51-9012.00 | role-51-9012-00 | Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-9198.00 | role-51-9198-00 | Helpers--Production Workers | Primary-Long |
| 51-8031.00 | role-51-8031-00 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | Supplemental |
| 51-6011.00 | role-51-6011-00 | Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Supply Chain & Transportation | supply-chain-transportation |

## Education Level

- **Category:** No formal educational credential

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 38940
- **Mean Wage:** 41420
- **Pct10Wage:** 30810
- **Pct25Wage:** 35410
- **Pct75Wage:** 46370
- **Pct90Wage:** 53180
- **Employment:** 2982530
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 997400 | 43190 | 6.98 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 535240 | 35780 | 3.06 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 424240 | 35540 | 8.27 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 408770 | 39990 | 3.5 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 406630 | 41260 | 1.65 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 332400 | 36150 | 1.1 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 47590 | 43760 | 0.3 |
| 53 | 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | Sector | 41250 | 39180 | 0.9 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 40250 | 42330 | 0.19 |
| 71 | 71 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | Sector | 32340 | 44310 | 0.63 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 22140 | 35260 | 0.05 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 21640 | 37560 | 0.25 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 424240 | 8.27 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 997400 | 6.98 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 408770 | 3.5 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 535240 | 3.06 |
| 711110 | 711110 | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | National industry | 3120 | 2.23 |
| 423820 | 423820 | Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | National industry | 3860 | 1.75 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 406630 | 1.65 |
| 11 | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Sector | 10360 | 1.27 |
- **Count:** 53

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.85 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.709183 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -1.791936 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.49843 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 7
- **Percentile:** 4
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 3 | felten_aioe |
| 7 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 12 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.709183 | 3 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.043478260869565216 | 7 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.05387316572670256 | 12 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.85
- **Percentile:** 71
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.043478260869565216
- **Beta:** 0.043478260869565216
- **Gamma:** 0.043478260869565216

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 1.5
- **Growth Percentile:** 36
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 384.3
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 99
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 2988.9
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 3033.1

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 14
- **Skills:** 33
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 4
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** ca8c792b10b3cc27