Working according to the Purity Law – news.wko.at
The 400 Salzburg companies that are active in waste management have one problem: the ever-increasing shortage of workers. In addition, the industry promises under long-established clichés. “Many still see us as garbage drivers, but we haven’t been for a long time. This view continues to make finding new workers more difficult. With our campaign “For Salzburg – our country” we want to correct this image of waste management,” says KommR Sabine Mayrhofer, chairwoman of the specialist group for waste disposal and resource management.
Diverse training opportunities and fields of activity
Because the industry offers a wide range of training opportunities and fields of activity, from commercial areas to the job profile of a truck driver to demanding activities in the technical field. Because the industry has undergone major technological upgrades, for example with sorting and recycling systems. “In any case, we have a lot to offer for young people who are interested in technology. With the disposal and recycling specialist, we also train our own specialists. This is a comprehensive apprenticeship that teaches, among other things, the legal background, but also basic chemical knowledge,” emphasizes Mayrhofer.
The training is not a one-way street, because the know-how of these specialists is also in demand from many production companies that are also confronted with the subject of waste and disposal management. Of course But there are also interesting career opportunities in waste management companies, assures the chairwoman of the specialist group. “You can start and advance in our industry without much previous training. The inhibition threshold is also very low, which is why we can be an interesting employer for many people,” Mayrhofer is convinced.
The chairwoman describes the campaign as having been well received by the member companies. It is to be rolled out in May/June of the Heuriger year, primarily on the company’s own areas.
Incidentally, in Salzburg a good 75% of the waste generated is disposed of via the private sector and only 25% via public institutions. Salzburg is one of the few federal states where a majority of waste disposal is carried out by small to medium-sized family businesses.
Central role in environmental protection
Waste disposal and resource management companies play a decisive role in environmental protection and resource conservation. Around 900,000 tons of plastic waste are generated every year. According to the EU single-use plastics directive, plastic collection rates are to be increased significantly from 2023 and half of the plastic is to be recycled by 2025. “It will be crucial that this processed material is then reused. The currently high raw material prices, especially for oil-based raw materials, could play into our hands. Because then the recyclate becomes competitive and interesting for the packaging industry,” says Mayrhofer.