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Refuse collector

Also called binman, dustman, dustbin man

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.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 9 countries now. 39 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Refuse workers and other elementary workersWhat does it pay?Below averageFrom about €700 (Bulgaria) to €4,000 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Refuse workers and other elementary workersWhat do I need to study?Basic schooling4 in 10 have basic schooling only. 4 in 10 train through vocational routes.Refuse workers and other elementary workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Garbage and recycling collectors · ILO

What you'd do

Garbage and recycling collectors · ILO
  • Collecting rubbish and recyclable materials and locating it into bins and garbage and recycling trucks
  • Riding on or in garbage and recycling trucks
  • Lifting garbage bins and emptying contents into trucks and larger containers
  • Unloading garbage and recycling trucks
Assess waste typeManage wasteMaintain waste collection recordsMaintain refuse collection equipmentCollect domestic waste+ 1 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Some freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

9 EU countries are short of garbage and recycling collectors now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as refuse workers and other elementary workers in the EU
2.04m2.13m2.42m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
247,000 new jobs 599,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Refuse workers and other elementary workers39
All jobs29
Right now
9 of 27 countries report a shortage of garbage and recycling collectors, 6 a surplus.
Garbage and recycling collectors · EURES

What does it pay?

Below average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €700 a month (Bulgaria) to €4,000 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among elementary occupations in the EU, women earn 9% less per hour than men. Elementary occupations · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Basic schooling

Most people start with basic schooling and learn on the job.

Highest qualification of refuse workers and other elementary workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 7%Vocational 36%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 44%
Fields that teach it
Community sanitation · Wholesale and retail sales · Occupational health and safety
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.09 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 4 tasks
Riding on or in garbage and recycling trucks0.11
Lifting garbage bins and emptying contents into trucks and larger containers0.10
Unloading garbage and recycling trucks0.08
Collecting rubbish and recyclable materials and locating it into bins and garbage and recycling trucks0.08

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for garbage and recycling collectors. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).