Waste management

The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.

waste regulation
manage waste
managing waste
waste administration
waste managing
waste oversight
waste supervision

knowledge

cross-sector

Waste management is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Waste management supervisor: Waste management supervisors coordinate waste collection, recycling, and disposal facilities. They supervise waste management operations, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and oversee staff. They aid in the development of waste management methods, aiming for increased waste reduction, and aid in the prevention of violations of waste treatment legislation.
Refuse vehicle driver: Refuse vehicle drivers drive the large vehicles used for refuse collection. They drive the vehicles from the homes and facilities where the refuse is collected by the refuse collectors on the lorry and transport the waste to the waste treatment and disposal facilities.
Recycling worker: Recycling workers clean materials and remove waste, and ensure the waste and collected materials are sorted in the appropriate recycling containers. They also dismantle vehicles and sort the parts collected, and deposit recyclable materials onto conveyor belts where they can be further sorted.
Airport environment officer: Airport environment officers monitor environmental issues such as emissions, contamination, and wildlife activity in the premises of airports. They report environmental attractors for animals such as nearby rubbish dumps or wetland areas. They can engage in studying the environmental impact that airports are having in the surrounding communities in reference to the diverse contamination that airports produce. They implement the rules to ensure the sustainable development of the airport.
Recycling specialist: Recycling specialists research recycling policies and legislation, and supervise implementation in an organisation to ensure that waste management occurs according to regulations. They perform inspections, provide recycling equipment, and supervise recycling workers. They also advise organisations on ways they can improve their waste management procedures.
Landfill supervisor: Landfill supervisors coordinate the activities and operations of landfills and landfill staff. They research legislation concerning waste management and ensure the operations of the landfill are compliant, and direct waste disposal operations.
Waste management officer: Waste management officers advise and enforce regulations on facilities managing waste disposal, collection and recycling. They develop and implement rules and evaluate the compliance with existsing legislation.
Industrial waste inspector: Industrial waste inspectors conduct controls in companies to ensure they comply with waste and environmental regulations. They check the documentation related to waste management, they collect samples for analysis and observe the industrial practices. They may advise or preventive or corrective actions to improve industrial waste management and disposal.
Hazardous materials inspector: Hazardous materials inspectors inspect facilities which handle hazardous materials to ensure compliance to health and safety regulations, and hazardous materials handling legislation. They investigate violations, oversee tests of emergency and risk response plans, and consult on the improvement of the facilities’ operations and procedures, as well as on hazardous materials regulations. They also advise plants on potential sources of danger to a community, and on better safety regulations.
ICT environmental manager: ICT environmental managers know the green ICT legal framework, understand the role of the ICT network configurations in the economy and energy resources deployment and evaluate the impact of CO2 footprint of each ICT resource in the organisation’s network. They plan and manage the implementation of environmental strategies for ICT networks and systems by conducting applied research, developing organisational policy, and devising strategies to meet sustainability targets. They ensure that the whole organisation uses ICT resources in a way that is as friendly as possible for the environment.

Hazardous waste technician: Hazardous waste technicians dispose of materials that have been in contact with or are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or a combination of the aforementioned hazardous traits. They remove the waste from industrial facilities or households and transport them to a treatment facility to ensure they are treated and disposed of according to regulations. They may also advise on the proper treatment of hazardous waste, and aid in the clean-up of hazardous waste spills.
Hazardous waste inspector: Hazardous waste inspectors inspect industrial sites to ensure they adhere to waste disposal legislation, and inspect their equipment to see if it is operational and functions according to regulations. They also aim to educate the public on hazardous substances and on hazardous waste handling regulations.
Waste broker: Waste brokers act as mediating party between clients and waste management industries. They ensure the waste is collected from the client by a specialised professional, and transported to a waste mangement facility where it is processed.
Refuse collector: Refuse collectors remove waste from homes and other facilities and put it in the bin lorry so it can be transported to a treatment and disposal facility. They assist the driver of the bin lorry, help unload the waste, and record the amount of refuse collected. They may also collect waste from construction and demolition sites, and hazardous waste.
Solid waste operator: Solid waste operators operate and maintain solid waste treatment and distribution equipment, and test samples to monitor pollution. They assist in the collection and disposal of solid waste, such as construction and demolition debris, and ensure treatment is compliant to safety regulations. They ensure community waste containers are emptied, ensure proper differentiation between waste which needs to be recycled or disposed of, and monitor equipment.
Sorter labourer: Sorter labourers sort recyclable materials and waste from a recycling stream, and ensure no unsuitable materials wind up among the recyclable materials. They inspect the materials and perform cleaning duties, and work in compliance with waste regulations.

Waste management is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Motor vehicles parts advisor: Motor vehicles parts advisors sell motor vehicle parts, order parts and identify alternative parts.
Wholesale merchant: Wholesale merchants investigate potential wholesale buyers and suppliers and match their needs. They conclude trades involving large quantities of goods.
Incinerator operator: Incinerator operators tend incineration machines which burn refuse and waste. They ensure the equipment is maintained, and that the incineration process occurs in accordance with safety regulations for the incineration of waste.
Environmental protection manager: Environmental protection managers provide advice on the development of environmental policies to governmental and official institutions. They analyse possible threats for the well being of the people and the environment in a region and manage campaigns aimed at tackling problems such as waste collection, landfills, and preservation of green areas.
Policy manager: Policy managers are responsible for managing the development of policy programs and ensuring that the strategic objectives of the organization are met. They oversee the production of policy positions, as well as the organization’s campaign and advocacy work in fields such as environmental, ethics, quality, transparency, and sustainability.
Battery assembler: Battery assemblers are welding and assembling the battery components such as electronics parts, wiring, and casing around the cells.
Froth flotation deinking operator: Froth flotation deinking operators tend a tank that takes in recycled paper and mixes it with water. The solution is brought to a temperature around 50°C Celsius, after which air bubbles are blown into the tank. The air bubbles lift ink particles to the surface of the suspension and form a froth that is then removed.
Wash deinking operator: Wash deinking operators operate a tank where recycled paper is mixed with water and dispersants to wash out printing inks. The solution, called a pulp slurry, is then dewatered to flush out the dissolved inks.
Building exterior cleaner: Building exterior cleaners remove dirt and litter from a building’s exterior, as well as perform restoration tasks. They ensure the cleaning methods are compliant with safety regulations, and monitor the exteriors to ensure they are in proper condition.
Advertising installer: Advertising installers attach posters and other advertisement materials on buildings, buses and underground transport and in other public places such as shopping malls, in order to attract the attention of passersby. They use equipment to climb buildings and reach higher places, following health and safety regulations and procedures.
Countryside officer: Countryside officers are responsible for a range of activities that manage and maintain the natural environment and associated public access and recreation. They encourage visitors to open spaces/the countryside, promote awareness of the natural environment and protect and preserve the open space/countryside for future enjoyment.

References

1. Waste management – ESCO