About this role

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
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.