The Green-Collar Industry And The Waste Management Jobs

September 13, 2009 | 247 views |  Print |  Email

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There is the white-collar sector, and then there is also the blue-collar. With the growing concern over the environment, there rose another sector: the green-collar industry. An official definition of green-collar is yet to be established, but the various definitions formed by different organizations and individuals share a common explanation, that green-collar jobs are those that contribute to the upkeep of the environment by addressing issues that include but are not limited to conservation, global warming, pollution, and waste disposal. While this definition may constitute green building architects, engineers, and other professionals, green-collar industry also includes people assuming waste management jobs.

Waste management has itself become a successful industry. Presently, waste management agencies and firms are proliferating, whose services primarily focus on collection, transportation, and disposal of residential and industrial waste, and are providing decent jobs to a lot of people. There are various jobs available in the waste management industry, which are all important in keeping the environment clean and orderly. Following are some of them.

1. Garbage Collectors. The most visible and perhaps the most popular of all waste management workers, garbage collectors are responsible for picking waste at a predetermined route and schedule. Although there is no required special education for garbage collectors, they have to be physically fit since they need to drag and carry loaded containers. In cases when they use automated trucks, meaning the vehicles can haul and lift the garbage into the truck, garbage collectors, also called trash collectors, can work alone and drive their own truck. This, therefore, means they should be licensed and skilled drivers.

2. Service Drivers. They work as the garbage collectors’ partners, driving the service truck to the designated area. While the garbage collector does the entire picking job, the service driver is responsible for transporting the waste to the destination safely and securely.

3. Street Sweepers. Their main job is to keep the streets and roads clean. They traditionally use brooms and dustbins, although it is more common to see them working with sweeping machines, which help them complete their job faster and more efficiently.

4. Truck Mechanics. They work behind the limelight, leaving the garbage collectors and drivers at the forefront. However, their work is very important since they make sure that every truck used for collecting and transporting waste is functioning properly. Their job includes repair, inspection, and maintenance.

5. Sales and Marketing Staff. They may not take part in the actual handling of waste and may work in offices, but their job is equally important. These people are responsible to bring the services of waste management firms and agencies to the attention of individuals and businesses. The sales and marketing team come up with advertising and marketing strategies to generate more clients.

6. Analysts and Researchers. Their job is more inclined to the science of waste management. They may be more involved in recycling methods, waste classification, studies on conservation and waste treatment, among other things. Because of the nature of these waste management jobs, they are required to have special education.