Pay rates amongst refuse workers in the UK: An analysis of the challenges facing the sector
The survey was designed in response to a network query from a member authority. Under increasing pressure to review their waste services workforce salaries, the council concerned requested APSE support to gather information on basic pay comparisons across the region and the wider UK. A survey of APSE’s membership was chosen as the most reliable and accurate method by which to gather this information.
The original scope of the research was to survey APSE’s member authority refuse teams and arrive at accurate real time data on the pay rates of refuse workers: HGV drivers, non-HGV drivers and loaders. However, during the design stage of the survey, it was decided the scope of the survey ought to be expanded to include questions on retention and recruitment in the sector. The purpose of widening the scope was to gain insight into how the current labour market is impacting budgets, capacity and morale within the sector. This research compliments the findings of APSE’s 2021 Local Government Skills Shortages and Workforce Capacity Discussion Paper (WCDP) but with a specific focus on local authority waste collection teams.
Promoting excellence in public services
APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
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