Photo by netkids from Pixabay

This role is vital for keeping the community clean and devoid of pests and pathogenic microbes. Without garbage collectors, barangays, towns, and cities would be filled with stinking trash and engulfed in infectious materials. In this section, we would like to underscore the essential role of these workers in our community and raise awareness to uplift their living standards.
 

OTHER RELATED OR SIMILAR ROLES

• Waste disposal workers

• Sewage collector worker

• Garbage disposal worker

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collect trash and empty trash bin and cans.

• Segregate rubbish

• Operate garbage compactors 

• Use and wear personal protective equipment such as the following;

  • Latex gloves

  • Hard hat

  • Hazmat suit

  • Working boots

  • Mask with an inhaler

  • Goggles

WORKPLACE: WHERE DO THEY WORK?

Garbage work on a specific place of assignment in a town, city, province, or state. They usually work in teams (2 or more people) along with the garbage truck driver.
 

SKILLS NEEDED

• Ability to overcome squeamish situations such as handling trash.

• Knowledge of waste segregation - Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable items.

• Knowledge of proper handling of biohazard wastes (medical or hospital wastes) such as syringes, needles, spent vaccine bottles, spent inhalers, intravenous tubes, gauzes, and blood-soaked cotton.

• Usage of personal protective equipment.

• Attentive to details.
   

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Depending on the employer and country, aspiring garbage may need a high school diploma or a technical certificate in waste collection and handling. On top of that, they might need training on the safe handling of biohazard wastes.
 

PAYSCALE

According to Salaryexpert.com, the average base salary of a garbage collector is 200, 196 per year. The average hourly rate is 96.25. 

Data Source: Salary Expert 
 

JOB MARKET OUTLOOK

Garbage or Rubbish will always be a part of daily Human activities due to the consumption of goods and services. You’ll always buy groceries that are packed in plastic or metal packaging. These packaging often go to trash cans. Twice or thrice a week, garbage collectors need to go to every street and pick up sacks and empty trash bins. 
 

PROSPECTS FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Garbage collectors can advance through experience, education, and training. You can assume administrative duties, and managerial roles or become a waste management professional that runs sewage treatment plants.
 

RISKS OF BEING AUTOMATED OR REPLACED BY ROBOTS

According to replacedbyrobot.info, garbage collectors had a 93% Chance of Automation. The reason for this high chance of robot replacement is that new technology within the next or the near future, could develop or invent garbage collecting car that AI and sensors entirely control. This could reduce or remove the need for human oversight. This analysis is only an assumption and it’s still hard to predict whether automation would replace garbage collectors.
 

PROS AND CONS

Pros

• More job opportunities or demand. Every community requires garbage collection services.

• Job security, especially if a stable waste disposal company or a government hires you.

• If you’re an extrovert and love to meet people, then this is your chance because you’re going house to house.

• Avoid the confined spaces of an office.

Cons

• You must handle possible biohazardous wastes such as hospital, kitchen, and factory waste.

• You’ve to endure the smell of rotting garbage unless you’re wearing Personal Protective Equipment.

• If you’re not used to waking up early in the morning, you’ll get stressed.

• The task can be physically demanding because you’ve to lift heavy trash cans.