There are currently 141,000 people employed in the UK waste management industry.

Energy & Utility Skills is responsible for the skills agenda of the UK waste management industry covering the areas of; collection, treatment and final management of waste and recyclables.

Some of the key drivers for change within the sector have been identified as:

• Government policies and targets
• Development of national and regional responsibilities
• Waste management legal instruments and regulations
• Health and safety practices
• Employment legal instruments and regulations
• New working practices through the introduction of new technologies
• Competitive position in the sector
• Export of waste
• Other critical drivers - planning permission and funding