Waste & circular economy jobs in the UK

Waste and recycling is one of the UK environmental sector's largest employers. The category covers operational roles (site managers, transfer station supervisors, technicians, drivers) at national waste operators, permitting and compliance roles at the Environment Agency and consultancies, and strategy and policy roles focused on extended producer responsibility (EPR), the plastic packaging tax, and the transition to a circular economy.

Major employers include Veolia, Suez, Biffa, FCC Environment, Viridor, Grundon and a long tail of regional operators. Alongside them, consultancies (Eunomia, Ricardo, Anthesis, Wood, RSK) advise government, local authorities and producers on collection systems, MRF performance and EPR compliance.

The 2025 EPR reforms and the phased introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme are actively reshaping hiring — producer compliance, packaging data and reporting, and reprocessor engagement roles are all growing.

This category is one of the most accessible entry points to the sector: apprenticeships (Level 3 and 4), technician roles and site-based management routes are widely available, and often don't require a degree. Related categories: Environmental Consultancy, Entry-level, Water and Flood Risk.