Description
Sort recyclable materials by type and grade on lines or at stations. Identify and remove contaminants and hazardous items to protect workers and equipment. Prepare sorted materials for processing or shipment and keep work areas and equipment clean.
- • Sort metals, glass, paper, plastics, and wood into designated bins or lines.
- • Pull contaminants and hazardous items, such as batteries or chemicals, per safety rules.
- • Place recoverable materials on conveyor belts or into chutes for processing.
- • Monitor and operate sort lines, optical sorters, and screens to separate materials.
- • Operate balers to compress sorted materials into bales and secure with straps or wire.
- • Weigh, tag, and record counts and weights of sorted materials and bales.
- • Clean and prepare materials, such as removing caps or rinsing containers, as required.
- • Separate high-value metals, including copper, brass, and aluminum, from mixed scrap.
- • Move bins, totes, and bales with pallet jacks or hand trucks and stage for shipping.
- • Inspect incoming loads for prohibited items and direct them to proper handling areas.
- • Clear jams and perform basic cleaning, inspection, and lubrication of belts and sorters; report issues.
- • Maintain a clean work area by sweeping, raking, and removing debris.
- • Follow PPE, lockout/tagout, and facility safety procedures.
- • Communicate material quality and equipment status to supervisors or scale staff.
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Energy & Natural Resources
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
