Recycling Associate

Recycling Associate Overview

As a Recycling Associate, you will help ensure compliance with environmental and safety programs by facilitating company recycling efforts. The Recycling Associate is responsible for operating heavy equipment including cardboard balers, pallet jacks, stock pickers, foam densifiers, shredders, and other recycling equipment.

Recycling Associates also act as quality control inspectors and remove unwanted or harmful materials while sorting recyclables. The ideal associate develops strategies to improve recycling efforts, adheres to quality expectations and standards, and has excellent attention to detail.

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

Sorting various materials such as cardboard, Styrofoam, and scrap items into appropriate machinery for recycling.

• Transporting recyclables, scrap, and trash throughout the warehouse.

Operating balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.

Operating various equipment, such as forklift or pallet jack to load items onto trucks for shipping and pick up.

• Lock Out Tag Out (L.O.T.O) equipment as needed.
• Ensure department, walking lanes, and nearby areas are clean and professional.
• Cleaning and maintaining recycling equipment.
• Periodically empty all trash cans through the facility.
• Ensuring your safety and the safety of all others at all times.
• Perform regular maintenance and minor repairs on the recycling equipment.
• Collaborate with the maintenance team to make sure the grounds and the building are always properly cared and cleaned up to AFW standards.
• Report all equipment issues and potential liabilities along with recommendations for solving such issues to the AFW management team.
• Abide by all company policies and procedures.

All other duties assigned by the Maintenance Manager as directed.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Prior experience operating warehouse equipment, such as forklift, pallet jack and cherry picker preferred.

Flexible schedule to work all shifts, including holidays and weekends.

Ability to become certified in the operation of warehouse equipment.

Ability to be trained on the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Have a strong independent work ethic.

Excellent organizational skill and the ability to demonstrate attention to detail, and accuracy.

Sense of ownership and pride in your performance and its impact on AFW’s success.

Ability to prioritize tasks when appropriate.

Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

Ability to function well in a high‑paced and at times stressful environment.

Basic computer skills.

High school diploma or GED is preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience accepted in lieu of diploma.

None required. Recycling and Environmental Health and Safety certifications/licenses preferred.

Pay Rate:
Starting at $17/hour and up - dependent on experience

Pay Grade A: $

Weekend, 3rd shift and mid‑shift premiums offered depending on schedule.

At AFW we offer great perks: weekly pay, benefits package (medical, dental, vision), 401k matching, and more!

Requires the ability to maneuver in confined and at times congested areas.

Requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, stoop, & bend for 8 hours a day.

Requires constant use of arms, hands, fingers, eyes, legs, and back.

Ability to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing 50-100lbs.

Able to work shifts that are 8-12 hours long.

Ability to work 0 to 35 feet above the ground.

Able to work in various weather conditions; the physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions.

Fluorescent Lighting

Climate affected by outside conditions including but not limited to extreme heat/cold

Extreme temperature fluctuations in the warehouse.

American Furniture Warehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. Working Safely is a Condition of Employment at American Furniture Warehouse – an Affluent Action Employer M/F/D/V.

A pre‑employment drug screen, background and fit for duty exam check must be passed upon job offer.