Recycling and Reclamation Worker Resume Example
Professional resume template and tips for Recycling and Reclamation Worker positions
Ready to launch a hands-on career as a recycling and reclamation worker? This guide details everything you need to know, from your daily tasks of sorting materials and operating machinery to the essential skills for success. We'll break down the technical tools you’ll use, like inventory and work scheduling software, and the key soft skills employers prioritize, including critical thinking and coordination. You’ll get a clear overview of the role, the required knowledge areas, and practical tips for building a strong resume that highlights your operational expertise. Start preparing your application today and build your standout resume with Mokaru.
JAMES RODRIGUEZ
Professional Summary
Dedicated Recycling and Reclamation Worker with 3+ years of experience in municipal waste operations. Achieved a 15% improvement in daily sorting throughput by optimizing container placement. Proficient in material handling equipment, operations monitoring, and work scheduling software.
Skills
Experience
- Led process improvement initiative using critical thinking to redesign sorting workflow, increasing material recovery rate by 12% across two facilities
- Mentored 4 new operators on advanced quality control analysis techniques for metal separation, reducing contamination in high-grade copper shipments by 18%
- Developed and maintained Excel tracking system for equipment maintenance schedules, extending average operational lifespan of sorting machinery by 25%
- Collaborated with logistics team using work scheduling software to coordinate 15+ daily shipments, improving on-time departure rate to 98%
- Applied active listening skills during team briefings to accurately implement new safety protocols, contributing to zero recordable incidents for 18 months
- Managed recycling yard cleanup project by coordinating 3-person crew, reducing workplace hazards and improving operational efficiency by 15%
- Supported senior workers by meticulously sorting plastics using learned quality control methods, achieving 99% accuracy rate on processed materials
- Learned to operate forklift under supervision, successfully loading 50+ bales daily while strictly following all safety monitoring procedures
- Assisted in routine equipment maintenance by applying reading comprehension skills to follow technical manuals, helping complete 20+ preventive maintenance tasks
Education
Certificates
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- Certified Recycling Professional
- Forklift Operator Certification
Build Your Recycling and Reclamation Worker Resume
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored for Recycling and Reclamation Worker positions in minutes.
What does a Recycling and Reclamation Worker do?
A Recycling and Reclamation Worker performs various tasks on a daily basis. Here are the core responsibilities you can expect in this role:
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.
- Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
- Clean, inspect, or lubricate recyclable collection equipment or perform routine maintenance or minor repairs on recycling equipment, such as star gears, finger sorters, destoners, belts, and grinders.
What skills do you need as a Recycling and Reclamation Worker?
Employers hiring for Recycling and Reclamation Worker positions look for candidates with a strong combination of technical and soft skills. Here are the most important skills to highlight on your resume:
What knowledge areas are important for a Recycling and Reclamation Worker?
Beyond skills and tools, employers value candidates with deep knowledge in these areas. Consider highlighting relevant coursework, certifications, or experience:
How do I write a great Recycling and Reclamation Worker resume?
Creating an effective Recycling and Reclamation Worker resume requires focusing on what employers in the Operations & Logistics sector value most.
Use relevant keywords
ATS systems scan for specific terms. Include these keywords naturally throughout your resume:
Quantify your impact
When describing how you "sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling", include metrics like percentages, team sizes, budgets, or project scope to demonstrate real results.
Showcase technical proficiency
Highlight hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word and any production and processing certifications that validate your expertise.
Match the experience level
For Recycling and Reclamation Worker roles, employers typically expect usually requires a high school diploma. Highlight matching qualifications prominently at the top of your resume.
Example bullet points
Here are some strong bullet points you could adapt for your Recycling and Reclamation Worker resume:
- Led process improvement initiative using critical thinking to redesign sorting workflow, increasing material recovery rate by 12% across two facilities
- Mentored 4 new operators on advanced quality control analysis techniques for metal separation, reducing contamination in high-grade copper shipments by 18%
- Developed and maintained Excel tracking system for equipment maintenance schedules, extending average operational lifespan of sorting machinery by 25%
How to use AI to improve your Recycling and Reclamation Worker resume
AI tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly helpful when crafting your Recycling and Reclamation Worker resume. They can help you brainstorm achievements, rephrase bullet points for impact, identify missing keywords, and tailor your content to specific job descriptions.
However, AI is not perfect. Always proofread the output carefully. AI can sometimes make factual errors, use generic language, or miss the nuances of your specific experience. Think of AI as a helpful assistant, not a replacement for your own judgment.
AI Resume Prompt
You are a senior recruiter with 15+ years of experience in technical hiring and resume optimization. You have reviewed thousands of resumes for Recycling and Reclamation Worker positions and know exactly what hiring managers and ATS systems look for.
Your task:
Analyze my resume for a Recycling and Reclamation Worker position and provide concrete, actionable feedback to maximize my chances.
Job description:
[paste the job description here]
Provide feedback on the following:
- Match analysis: Which requirements from the job description ARE and ARE NOT reflected in my resume?
- Quantification: Which bullet points lack concrete numbers/metrics? Provide examples of how I can rewrite them.
- Keywords: Which technical terms from the job description (such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, etc.) are missing or could be more prominent?
- Impact statements: Rewrite my 3 weakest bullet points using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- ATS optimization: What adjustments will increase my score in Applicant Tracking Systems?
- Priorities: Give me a top-5 of changes that will make the biggest difference, ranked by impact.
Be direct and critical - I want honest feedback, not compliments.
Why use Mokaru instead? At Mokaru, we have invested extensive research into our AI prompts and continuously update them based on recruiter feedback and ATS testing. Our AI resume builder handles the complexity for you: optimizing for ATS systems, matching job descriptions, and ensuring professional formatting, so you can focus on landing interviews.
Sorter Resume Example
Looking for a Sorter resume instead? The skills and experience are very similar to a Recycling and Reclamation Worker. Here is an example you can use as inspiration:
ETHAN NELSON
Summary
Dedicated Recycling and Reclamation Worker with 3+ years of experience in municipal waste operations. Achieved a 15% improvement in daily sorting throughput by optimizing container placement. Proficient in material handling equipment, operations monitoring, and work scheduling software.
Skills
Experience
- Led process improvement initiative using critical thinking to redesign sorting workflow, increasing material recovery rate by 12% across two facilities
- Mentored 4 new operators on advanced quality control analysis techniques for metal separation, reducing contamination in high-grade copper shipments by 18%
- Developed and maintained Excel tracking system for equipment maintenance schedules, extending average operational lifespan of sorting machinery by 25%
- Collaborated with logistics team using work scheduling software to coordinate 15+ daily shipments, improving on-time departure rate to 98%
- Applied active listening skills during team briefings to accurately implement new safety protocols, contributing to zero recordable incidents for 18 months
- Managed recycling yard cleanup project by coordinating 3-person crew, reducing workplace hazards and improving operational efficiency by 15%
- Supported senior workers by meticulously sorting plastics using learned quality control methods, achieving 99% accuracy rate on processed materials
- Learned to operate forklift under supervision, successfully loading 50+ bales daily while strictly following all safety monitoring procedures
- Assisted in routine equipment maintenance by applying reading comprehension skills to follow technical manuals, helping complete 20+ preventive maintenance tasks
Education
Certifications
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
- Certified Recycling Professional
- Forklift Operator Certification
Build Your Sorter Resume
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored for Sorter positions in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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