Role: Class 1 Driver
Location: Preston, PR2
Hours: Monday – Friday, 42.75 hours per week plus occasional overtime
Salary: £15 p/h - £17 p/h , dependent on experience
The Role:
We are a fast-growing recycling company expanding our own vehicle fleet, and we are looking for a skilled and dependable Class 1 Driver to join our team.
This role is central to our plans to bring our third-party haulage in-house, working closely alongside our Transport Manager to build a reliable, efficient, and fully company-operated transport operation.
The Business:
Recycling Lives Services is not a typical recycling company. Since 2008, the business has been structurally built around social value, employing people from disadvantaged backgrounds, partnering with the justice system to reduce reoffending, and delivering environmental excellence at scale. The social mission is not a layer added on top of commercial activity. It is the reason the business operates in the way it does.
As a certified B Corp (scoring 103.5 against a business median of 50.9), Recycling Lives Services generated £42.9m in social value in 2024, achieved a 61% reduction in CO2 emissions, and diverted 97% of waste from landfill. 15% of our team have been welcomed through our rehabilitation programmes, and only 6% of people we support reoffend — compared to a national average of over 25%.
We operate UK-wide across construction, manufacturing, retail, utilities and public sector markets, offering total waste management, WEEE recycling, and specialist hazardous waste services. Our customers choose us because we deliver commercial excellence and meaningful social impact in the same contract.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate Class 1 vehicles, primarily on curtain-side trailers, for scheduled deliveries and collections
- Work closely with the Transport Manager to support the transition of third-party haulage work in-house
- Carry out safe loading/unloading, sheeting, and securing of curtain-side loads
- Perform daily vehicle checks and report any defects or maintenance issues promptly
- Maintain accurate delivery, collection, and tachograph records
- Plan and adapt routes efficiently, keeping to schedules and delivery windows
- Represent the company professionally when dealing with customers, sites, and the public
- Support the wider transport team as the in-house fleet grows, remaining flexible to operational needs
The ideal candidate:
- Valid Class 1 (Category C+E) HGV licence
- CPC card and Digital Tachograph
- Experience with curtain-side trailers strongly preferred
- Good knowledge of UK driving laws and local areas
- Comfortable working alongside a Transport Manager during a period of operational change
- Reliable, punctual, and safety-conscious
- Strong communication skills and a professional, can-do attitude
Benefits:
- Competitive remuneration package
- Modern, well-maintained vehicles
- Early opportunity to influence fleet development
- Supportive team in a growing company
- Pensions contribution, 5% employee 3% employer
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free financial wellbeing support
- Healthcare cash back plan*
- Access to ethical loan and savings products *
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay*
- Cycle to work scheme*
- Employees become eligible after 12 months service.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
