How to become a waste disposal and environmental services manager
Official title: Waste disposal and environmental services managers
Also called: Manager, Waste dealer, Yard manager, Reclaim manager, Contract manager, Landfill manager, Cleansing manager, Recycling manager, Technical manager, Waste paper dealer, Operations manager, Incinerator manager
Waste disposal and environmental services managers plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the operations and development of waste disposal and related environmental services facilities within private firms or public authorities.
Main tasks
- Determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term requirements
- Manages and delegates tasks to staff and co-ordinates the maintenance and optimum utilisation of waste disposal and related equipment to provide an efficient service
- Monitors levels of waste disposal, recycling and related environmental services, compiles statistics and produces reports
- Liaises with members of the local community to educate and promote the concept of recycling and appropriate waste management
- Keeps up to date with new legislation and liaises with appropriate regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with legislation regarding waste disposal and environmental services
- Co-ordinates the resources and activities relating to the procurement, collection, storage, processing and sale of scrap metal and related products
How to become one
Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications, including a degree or equivalent qualification in a related subject, and/or relevant experience. Apprenticeships and NVQs at levels 3 and 4 and professional qualifications are available. Professional qualifications are available from the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management and may be mandatory in some operational management posts.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £49,763 a year The middle half earn £33,884 to null.
- About 19,500 people work in this job now, and about 22,500 are projected by 2035. (+15.6%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become a waste disposal and environmental services manager?
Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications, including a degree or equivalent qualification in a related subject, and/or relevant experience. Apprenticeships and NVQs at levels 3 and 4 and professional qualifications are available. Professional qualifications are available from the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management and may be mandatory in some operational management posts.
How much does a waste disposal and environmental services manager earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £49,763 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is a waste disposal and environmental services manager a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 19,500 to about 22,500 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a waste disposal and environmental services manager?
Not always. 34% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03