Recycling and Reclamation Workers

Recycling and reclamation workers handle the physical processing of recyclable materials and products at recycling facilities, waste management centers, and material recovery operations. They sort incoming materials by type—separating paper, plastics, metals, and glass—often working along conveyor belts where quick identification and categorization skills are essential. These workers inspect items for contamination, remove non-recyclable materials, and identify potentially hazardous substances like batteries, chemicals, or electronics that require special handling. Many dismantle larger items such as appliances, computers, or machinery to extract valuable components and separate different material types for processing.