Recycler/Dismantler Kaihangarua/Kaiwetewete
Recyclers/dismantlers take apart, separate, sort and sell materials to be recycled or reused.
Recyclers and dismantlers may do some or all of the following:
- buy and sort materials such as paper, plastics, glass or green waste for processing
- collect and dispose of solid and hazardous waste
- operate forklifts to load or unload materials
- assess vehicles to buy or buildings to deconstruct
- remove all saleable parts from vehicles and buildings
- sell vehicle parts for reuse and remnants for scrap metal
- sell salvaged building materials.
Physical Requirements
Recyclers/dismantlers need to be reasonably fit and strong as they have to lift heavy objects.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for recyclers/dismantlers includes:
- volunteer work at a community recycling centre
- repairing cars as a hobby
- forklift and loader driving
- factory or warehouse work.
Personal Qualities
Recyclers/dismantlers need to be:
- motivated
- efficient
- adaptable
- reliable and punctual.
Skills
Recyclers/dismantlers need to have knowledge of:
- sorting and grading requirements for different materials
- safety procedures and lifting techniques
- the value of scrap metal, wood, fixtures, car parts and recyclable materials
- using workshop tools and dismantling vehicles and buildings into usable parts quickly and carefully.
Some recyclers/dismantlers need to be able to drive heavy vehicles such as trucks, or operate heavy machinery such as forklifts.
Conditions
Recyclers/dismantlers:
- work regular business hours or longer, and may work weekends
- work indoors and outdoors at recycling depots, garages, workshops, and car-wrecking and demolition yards
- may work in noisy and dirty conditions.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a recycler/dismantler.
Recycler/Dismantlers can earn around $23-$25 per hour.
Pay for recyclers/dismantlers varies depending on skills and experience.
- New recyclers/dismantlers usually start on the minimum wage or a little more.
- Experienced recyclers/dismantlers can earn up to $25 an hour.
- Recyclers/dismantlers with managerial experience or who run their own business can earn more than this.
Sources: Reclaim, 2020; and Hazara Auto Recyclers, 2020.
Recyclers/dismantlers may progress to set up their own business, or move into supervisor roles.
Recyclers may specialise in recycling a certain type of material such as metal, plastic or glass.
Automotive dismantlers often specialise in dismantling certain types of vehicles such as trucks, four-wheel drives or Japanese cars.
Years Of Training
There are no specific requirements to become a recycler/dismantler as you gain skills on the job.
However, some employers prefer to hire recyclers/dismantlers who have or are working towards a qualification in zero waste and resource recovery, scrap metal recycling, composting or solid waste disposal. Revised resource recovery qualifications are currently being developed by industry training organisation MITO.
A driver's licence, heavy vehicle licence, or forklift (F) endorsement on your driver's licence is also useful.