More information from O*NET OnLine:

Recycling and Reclamation Workers - 53-7062.04

O*NET-SOC Description

Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Bobcat Driver
Box Sorter
Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech)
Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist)

Non-Ferrous Material Handler
Sort Line Worker
Sorter
Transfer Station Operator

SOC Occupation Groups

53-0000	Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
53-7000	Material Moving Workers
53-7060	Laborers and Material Movers
53-7062.00	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
53-7062.04	Recycling and Reclamation Workers

Related Occupations

47-4041.00	Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
47-5081.00	Helpers--Extraction Workers
51-9012.00	Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-9111.00	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Bright Outlook
51-9198.00	Helpers--Production Workers
53-1042.01	Recycling Coordinators
53-7061.00	Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
53-7062.00	Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
53-7063.00	Machine Feeders and Offbearers
53-7081.00	Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

Tasks

Clean materials, such as metals, according to recycling requirements.
Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
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.
Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
Collect recyclable materials from curbside for delivery to designated facilities.
Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
Operate automated refuse or manual recycling collection vehicles.
Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
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.
Operate processing equipment, such as fiber-sorters and grinders, to sort, crush, or grind recyclable materials.
Record logs of recycled materials or waste chemicals removed from products.
Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.