Waste and Recycling Operative (Hardley Depot) 10 posts available

New Forest District Council; Hardley; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the United Kingdom is looking for 10 dedicated Waste and Recycling Operatives to join their team. You will be responsible for handling residents' recycling and waste, identifying contamination, and ensuring materials are properly sorted for recycling or energy recovery. This physically engaging role offers opportunities for career development and work-life balance, making it perfect for those passionate about the environment and community service.

Benefits

Up to £25,404 annual salary including bank holidays

23 days’ leave plus 5 additional days for service

Local Government Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free flu jab and health checks

Training and development opportunities

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Willingness to undergo pre-employment health screening.
• Basic DBS check required.

Responsibilities

• Handle residents' recycling and waste.
• Identify contamination in materials.
• Ensure proper sorting for recycling or energy recovery.

Skills

Passionate about the environment

Ability to identify contamination

Physical fitness

Job description

Join Our Growing Waste & Recycling Team at our Hardley Depot

We’re expanding our waste services and looking for 10 dedicated Waste and Recycling Operatives to help us deliver this vital service to our communities. If you’re passionate about the environment and want to be part of a transformative moment in local waste collection, we’d love to hear from you!

Love the Outdoors? Care About the Planet?

Our operatives are the frontline heroes in protecting both our local and global environment. Without them, over 1,000 tonnes of waste could pile up in just one week across our beautiful district.

You’ll be the first to handle residents’ recycling and waste, identifying contamination and ensuring materials are properly sorted for recycling or energy recovery. It’s physical, sometimes messy work—but it’s meaningful, active, and outdoors.

If you’re looking for a role that offers work-life balance, keeps you fit, and makes a real difference, this could be the perfect fit.

#WasteMatters

Important Information

• This role is subject to pre‑employment health screening.
• A basic DBS check is required.

What’s in it for you:

• Up to a maximum of £25,404, including bank holiday payments.
• 23 days’ leave plus an additional 5 days for 5 years of local authority continuous service.
• Limited parking available at all depots.
• Local Government Pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (free 24‑hour legal, financial, and personal advice for employees).
• Free flu jab and free health checks.
• Training and development opportunities, particularly if you’d like to progress to be an HGV driver.
• Wide range of employee discounts at high‑street retailers, including supermarkets, stores, and restaurants.
• Cycle to Work scheme, which could save you around 40 % on cycles and accessories.

If you are interested in this position and meet the criteria, we would be happy to hear from you.

About us

As one of the largest districts in the country, with 6 towns and a close relationship with neighbouring conurbations, the New Forest provides a supportive environment in which everyone who works for us can help drive our aims.

At NFDC we believe that all our employees make a valuable contribution to the work of the council and that’s why we encourage a trusting and open culture where each employee is supported and respected equally, where ideas are actively sought and self‑development promoted. We also recognise the value of a highly motivated and engaged workforce and we actively promote a good work/life balance. We’re keen to support career development and help all colleagues to be the best they can be.

We are proud of our values, please watch this short video to find out more: LEAF Learning Empathy Ambition Fairness (youtube.com).

If you’re ambitious and passionate, are driven to deliver, and want to be part of our team, we welcome your application.

To view full details of what you can expect from working for NFDC and to view the full job description, please click on the candidate pack attached.

Click here to see why employees think that New Forest District Council is a great place to work: Working for NFDC.

If, after reading what the role will involve, you feel you would like an informal chat, please contact Dave Wheeler‑Osman (Waste and Recycling Senior Supervisor) 023 8028 5408 or Ian Nunn (Waste and Recycling Supervisor) on 023 8028 5923.

Closing date: 11pm on Sunday 4th January 2026
Interview date: Week commencing 12th January 2026