Think back to your childhood and all time that went into completing a bike ride without help from an adult or a set of training wheels. Along the way, there were probably more than a few scratches and frustrating moments, but once you got the hang of it, the basics always remained.
Starting a job in the recycling industry is similar to learning how to ride a bike. Once you have mastered the skills needed to be successful, they stick in your brain and can lead to a long-term career.
One of the first steps to being a good sorter in a recycling facility is understanding the importance of safety and proper technique. Before many of us were allowed to ride out into the world without an adult looking over our shoulders, we had to understand that pedaling at a fast pace kept the bike from falling over, and that without helmets and street signs, the chance of an accident occurring is much higher. The same goes for working in a recycling plant; Materials must be sorted at a steady pace, safety gear must be worn at all times, and employees need to be aware of any signs that are posted inside the work space.
After you have proven yourself as a sorter, the next step is deciding if a long-term career in recycling is a goal that you would like to achieve. A bike rider may start out riding for fun and exercise but make a decision to grow their talents into a career as professional BMX rider or compete in long distance cycling. The same is true for an employee who begins their career as a sorter. Opportunities to move up in the company are available to those who have a great work ethic and try to understand how other parts of the recycling plant operate, not just their own specific role.
Taking on a job in recycling not only provides a path to long-term success but is also a great way to help limit pollution and improve air quality. Thanks to the hard work of our employees at Leadpoint-run facilities across the country, plastics and metals that might end up being burned at landfills is instead recycled and helps reduce greenhouse gases.