People who collect and dispose of various types of waste are known as waste collectors. Residential garbage collectors to bulk waste collectors are all types of waste collectors. Other garbage collectors will collect waste bins by hand and dump them into the truck, while drivers will operate the waste collection vehicles. Waste collector jobs require varying levels of training or education, though in most cases, no formal education is required. When a person is hired, on-the-job training is usually required, and that person will typically work with more experienced waste collectors for a period of time.
Depending on the type of truck, a driver may have different responsibilities. Some waste collector jobs that are labeled as driving jobs may only require the driver to be able to operate a commercial vehicle; this may necessitate the acquisition of a commercial driver’s license. Other trucks will require the driver to be able to operate hydraulic lifts and other hydraulic systems that are used to transport trash receptacles and compact the trash once it is stored in the truck. Such waste collector jobs will almost certainly require the driver to be trained in both safety and hazardous materials handling.
Jobs as a waste collector are also available in other areas. Bulk waste pickup operators are workers who collect large, bulky items that can’t be transported by the trucks that pick up garbage on a daily or weekly basis. Using grappling arms mounted on heavy-duty trucks, or simply collecting large pieces by hand and loading them into flatbed or other types of trucks, is one option. Yard waste may also be disposed of this way in some cases. A waste collector may use a flatbed truck with a winch to drop off a large dumpster or container, then return to pick up the filled dumpster or container at a later time.
Hazardous waste collector jobs will necessitate the operator obtaining certain clearances allowing him or her to work with hazardous waste. For such waste collection, special trucks may be used, and the job can be dangerous because toxic materials may be present. Although the operator must be properly trained to handle such waste, the level of job danger will remain relatively high even with proper precautions and safety equipment. By-products from factories, as well as medical waste, are examples of hazardous waste.