Abfallberater/Abfallberaterin

AbfallR - Portal and Journal for Waste Management Law, Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future, Immission Control (ImS), Waste and Refuse, Green Working World Network, RECYCLING magazine, Environmental Officer, Environmental Economy, ZUR - Journal for Environmental Law.

Digital Circular Economy: The circular economy is considered a more sustainable alternative to the linear production chain. In this system, various actors in the value chain network to operate as energy- and resource-efficiently as possible. Digitalization enables the use and exchange of data, forming the basis for the circular economy. It can also contribute to optimizing processes and products and reducing resources. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Big Data, or Digital Twins are employed. Specialists and managers must address corresponding investment decisions or prepare themselves for new technologies through further training.

Waste consultants usually work in offices and training rooms. They may also work from home or remotely if necessary.

Core competencies generally required in this profession include: Waste consulting, waste disposal, waste law, waste separation, recycling. Other competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession are: Battery recycling, construction waste, electronic recycling, hazardous waste, water protection, commercial and industrial waste, glass recycling, composting, plastic recycling, developing material and resource efficiency concepts, reusable systems, metal recycling, public relations, paper recycling, pharmaceutical waste, municipal waste, environmental law, teaching, training (non-school area), upcycling, lecturing.

Waste consultants perform a consulting activity that requires a sense of responsibility and strong communication skills. To engage with an audience during presentations and capture their attention, waste consultants also need empathy, expressiveness, and rhetorical skill. To competently inform and advise in their field, they apply their comprehensive expertise in ecological, biological, technical, and economic contexts. In the office, for example, waste consultants prepare presentations or advise citizens and companies by phone or in person. They hold information events in training or lecture rooms. As part of public relations, waste consultants also visit schools or companies. On the computer, they research online and create statistics, information material, waste balances, waste collection regulations, or press releases. Waste consultants work for public authorities.

Waste consultants can become self-employed by establishing a company that offers waste consulting services.

Example gross basic salary in the public service collective bargaining area (monthly): 3,697 € to 4,587 €. These figures are for orientation only, and no claims can be derived from this information. Earnings vary; check BERUFENET.

Waste management, recycling: Collection of waste, e.g., waste collection companies. Technical, physical, chemical examination: E.g., waste consulting companies. Public administration: General public administration, e.g., city and municipal administrations, district offices. Public administration for environmental and nature protection, e.g., environmental agencies. Economic, professional associations, trade unions: Economic and employer associations, e.g., waste management associations.

Employers often expect further training (Weiterbildung) in environmental protection or waste management and disposal, or a corresponding university degree (Studium).

Waste and disposal technology (bachelor's), waste and disposal technology (master's), environmental engineering (bachelor's), environmental engineering (master's), environmental science (bachelor's), environmental science (master's).

Waste consultants can find employment in waste management and disposal companies, waste consulting firms, municipal or regional administrations, environmental agencies, and waste management associations.

Waste consultants inform companies, private households, public authorities, associations, or schools about how measures for waste prevention, recycling, and disposal can be implemented.

ENDSjobsearch, Environmentjob.co.uk, greenjobs.de, WILA-Arbeitsmarkt.

Federal Association of German Waste, Water and Raw Materials Management (BDE), German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA), International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), United Services Union (ver.di).

Customer contact (advising customers on composting, waste separation, and recycling), adherence to various regulations and legal requirements (circular economy and waste law, including associated legal provisions, possibly official requirements), working in the presence of customers and guests (informing and advising companies, private and public households), screen work (e.g., preparing waste balances and other statistics), working in office spaces (e.g., preparing public lectures), working in classrooms/training rooms (e.g., conducting information events and lecture series).

Documents (e.g., informational material, presentation documents, forms, legal regulations such as circular economy and waste law, documentation, protocols, waste balances, statistics). Office equipment and presentation tools (e.g., PC, internet access, telephone, projector).

Waste consultants answer questions on topics such as waste prevention and disposal. During information events, they clarify waste management issues, for example, on waste separation, recycling, or low-pollutant products. In public relations, they work with diverse target groups such as school classes or company employees. They assess and evaluate disposal offers and solutions and develop guidelines for environmentally friendly consumer behavior. Additionally, they participate in expert committees, visit relevant facilities like waste-to-energy plants, manage waste management websites, or create waste balances.

Technical Environmental Specialist, Certified Master for Circular and Waste Management and Urban Cleaning, State-certified Technician in Environmental Protection Technology (without specialization) / Bachelor Professional in Technik, State-certified Technician in Environmental Protection Technology with a focus on Process Engineering / Bachelor Professional in Technik.

Adaptation training helps keep professional knowledge current and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in waste management, hazardous waste, or environmental law). Furthermore, the trend towards digitalization in the circular economy can become an important further training topic for waste consultants.

Depending on prior professional education, further career opportunities open up through a bachelor's (Studium) or master's degree (e.g., in waste, disposal technology, or environmental technology). Under certain conditions, a university degree (Studium) is also possible without a general higher education entrance qualification. For more information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states) of Germany.

Advises and informs on waste disposal and environmental protection issues. Conducts information events, workshops, and training courses in companies. Explains regulations and laws in waste management, environmental protection, and recycling technology. Carries out public relations work, such as giving lectures in schools, organizing seminars and conferences on environmental protection, and creating and maintaining online content. Assesses and evaluates disposal offers and solutions from an environmental perspective. Identifies and evaluates environmental hazards caused by improper waste disposal. Develops concepts for waste prevention, environmental protection, and recycling for households and businesses. Manages waste management websites and prepares statistics on waste treatment. Creates and updates target-group-specific training materials. May also manage regional waste infrastructures, such as recycling centers or composting sites.

The following lists professions or activities similar to the original profession. These can be alternatives for applicants. Employers may also consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original role. Some alternative professions only cover partial activities of the original profession, while others may require an induction period, which can vary. Immediate employment and staffing alternatives for the Waste Consultant profession include: For the overall activity (usually with a short induction period): Engineer for Waste Management; State-Certified Technician in Environmental Protection Technology (without specialization) / Bachelor Professional in Technology; State-Certified Technician in Environmental Protection Technology with a specialization in Process Engineering / Bachelor Professional.