“All my tips come from personal experience managing waste recycling facilities in the sunny North West of England – Wigan, Liverpool, Widnes, Stoke on Trent, etc…”
1. Waste Picker Productivity
Make the job simple with as little double handling as possible.
A mixed builder’s skip could contain all sorts that can be diverted from landfill.
Tip and spread the contents on the floor, then load each fraction, like timber and metal, into a medium size loading shovel. At many companies I visit the loads are being pushed up and contaminating good material for recycling. Space is always at a premium – I say again, buy a baler and buy extra hook lift bins to store recyclate.
2. Second Sorting Shift
Consider introducing a second shift to your transfer station/ recycling facility. It may be safer and more cost effective to sort after hours, when there are no vehicles tipping.
3. You’re Fired!

The work in transfer stations is hard, dirty and dangerous, so staff turnover can be high.
Ensure your employment contracts, offer letters and even notes in diaries are up to date. To get rid of unsuitable staff, the paperwork must be right.
4. There’s Gold in Them There Skips!
Never give up looking for cash in the trash. This week I found a mint condition Elvis EP inside an old radiogram!
Roger Hudspith is a director of A2Shred Ltd in Winsford, Cheshire. He also holds the level 4 COTC for waste transfer treatment and hazardous waste treatment. Email the Garbage Guru at theguru@theskip.net to ask any questions about the murky world of waste. For more tips visit www.skiphiremagazine.co.uk