The recycling industry trader — buying and selling recyclable materials between collectors and processors.
As a Junior Recyclable Materials Distributor, you''re working in the recycling supply chain. You''re buying recyclable materials from collectors, consolidators, or generators and selling them to processors who turn them into new products. It''s commodity trading in materials that would otherwise be waste.
Your day involves sourcing materials, evaluating quality and contamination levels, negotiating prices, arranging logistics, and managing customer relationships. You''re learning about different recyclable materials, processing requirements, and commodity markets.
The recycling industry combines environmental benefit with commodity trading realities. Prices fluctuate, quality matters enormously, and logistics are complex. The people who succeed here understand both the materials and the business dynamics of recycling markets.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
The recycling industry trader — buying and selling recyclable materials between collectors and processors.
Median pay for a Junior Recyclable Materials Distributor is about $100K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $49K to $195K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Persuasion, Active Listening, Negotiation, and Social Perceptiveness.
Most people in this role hold a bachelor's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 1.9% through 2034, with roughly 293,930 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Recyclable Materials Distributor, Sales Specialist, and Senior Sales Specialist.
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