Job Description

About the role:

We are about to see the biggest changes to waste and recycling which will impact our 80,000 households in West Suffolk and also all of our businesses.

Under the government's Simpler Recycling policy, new collections will be introduced to include weekly food waste; dry recycling and changes to separating commercial waste.

To enable us to deliver these services we are recruiting

34 new staff

, additional drivers and bin collectors, to join our team.

We are looking to recruit 20 new staff to start from

1 November 2025

, during which time they will complete training, learn the new routes and sites and support the distribution of food caddies to all our households. We will then be recruiting a further 14 staff to start in

April 2026

, with the full service going live on

1 June 2026

.

It's an exciting time to join us!



Your main duties will include;
loading wheeled bins into refuse collection vehicles, working in teams with other crew members collecting domestic, trade or garden waste from the West Suffolk area, or supporting other elements of the operation as required.




Working hours are mainly early starts (6.00am - 7.00am) Monday - Friday, with some potential for Saturday working.

What you will need:

You will hold a minimum Class B (car) driving licence and have your own transport. You will need to be physically fit and possess a flexible approach, ideally you will have experience of working in a fast moving and high-pressured environment. You will need to be prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions. You will be able to demonstrate a positive approach to health and safety. You will be flexible with a strong customer focus and be able to demonstrate a desire to deliver high standards of service. You will be computer literate and be able to operate 'in cab' and 'handheld' technology and other in-house systems as appropriate.




Please refer to the job description and for full details of this exciting opportunity.

Why work for us?

Our benefits include:

annual leave entitlement of 25 days per annum rising to 29 days after 5 years' service plus bank holidays, a generous pension scheme (LGPS) including life cover (a payment of three times your annual salary) access to a unique employee benefits package which includes discounts and cashback on supermarkets, high street shops, holidays, mobile phones, electrical goods, savings and loan schemes and many other products and services Salary sacrifice benefits including Cycle to Work scheme, and SmartTech (buy the latest tech products interest free and spread the cost over your salary). Rail and bus staff discounts a range of Health and Wellbeing initiatives including an employee assistance programme discounted membership at Abbeycroft Leisure centres




West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 councils for climate action and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2030.

Closing date:

30 September 2025

Interview date:

to be confirmed

Recent applicants need not apply.