If you are thinking about getting yourself a new part time job and you are not sure what types of jobs you want to apply for, a good starting point is to think about your passions; the things in life that mean the most to you.
With this in mind, you could then consider the different part time jobs that are out there which best align with your values and the things you care about. Getting a job like this should make it rewarding, not just financially but also personally.
For some of you, you might feel you want to do more to help the environment.
In the face of growing environmental challenges, from climate change to plastic pollution and biodiversity loss, more and more people in the UK are looking for ways to align their work with their environmental values.
Whether you are a student, a parent balancing childcare responsibilities or someone seeking extra income with purpose, part-time jobs can offer a meaningful way to make a difference.
And the good news is, there are various part-time job options available that support sustainability and environmental action.
Let’s take a look at some rewarding and fulfilling part-time job ideas in the UK that will allow you to earn an income while actively contributing to the health of the planet.
Recycling & Waste Reduction Roles
Local Council Recycling Operative
Many local councils hire part-time staff for recycling centres and this is a great way to help the environment if you are looking for part time entry level jobs.
In these roles, you help to collect and sort recyclables properly such as glass and plastics. You will also unload materials from collection materials and pick materials from moving conveyor belts.
How it helps the environment: Proper waste sorting keeps recyclable materials out of landfills and reduces the demand for raw materials.
Waste Audit Assistant
Some environmental consultancies and businesses need part-time staff to conduct waste audits. And if you are looking for entry level roles, working as a waste audit assistant could be rewarding.
Waste audit roles involve sorting and analysing waste generated by offices and organisations, schools or events to identify ways to reduce waste.
You will need a good attention to detail, physical stamina and basic data entry skills for this role.
If you already have some experience in this area and you are looking to resume your career, then you could consider roles as a senior audit officer.
Sustainable Retail Jobs
Eco-Shop Assistant
If you are liking the idea of part time retail jobs, you could also tie this in with your desire to help the environment.
Check out if there are independent shops in your area that are focused on sustainable living. Zero-waste stores, refill shops or eco-fashion boutiques. You might be able to find part time work in places like these as a sales assistant.
Your responsibilities might include restocking, customer service and helping customers make informed green choices. You might also be required to give customers information about how the shop you are working in is doing its bit to help the environment.
These types of shops help people reduce plastic use, they often choose ethical products and they help the shift towards low-impact lifestyles.
Farmers’ Market Assistant
Who doesn’t love a good farmers’ market?
Farmers’ markets across the UK often need staff to help vendors set up stalls, manage customers or distribute local produce. These jobs are particularly good if you enjoy early mornings, community engagement and – sometimes – working outdoors.
Farmers’ markets are all about supporting local food systems and this cuts down on food miles – and often supports organic or regenerative practices.
Environmental Education & Outreach
Part-Time Eco Educator
Nature reserves, zoos, botanical gardens and environmental charities frequently need part-time educators to run workshops, guided walks or school sessions.
Topics might include wildlife conservation, climate change or sustainability habits.
This type of part time work is ideal for those of you with backgrounds in education, science or communications.
You will also need to enjoy working with the public. This will often be school groups or groups of children and young people from other organisations so you will need to be the type of person who loves to be around young people from all walks of life.
Climate Campaign Volunteer
Not all environmental work has to be paid work. If it isn’t essential for you to be paid for your work, you could consider volunteering.
Climate campaigning organisations might require you to do outreach work, petitioning and/or public engagement work. You will be raising awareness about climate policies, lobbying local governments or educating people about green initiatives.
For some larger climate campaign organisations, there could also be some paid part time roles on offer, too. And volunteer roles can also lead to paid roles in the future because you have demonstrated your commitment to protecting the environment.
Community & Urban Gardening
Community Garden Coordinator Or Assistant
Urban gardens and community growing projects often employ part-time staff to maintain gardens, coordinate volunteers and organise workshops.
These types of part time jobs are ideal for people who love hands-on work and community building.
If you love outdoor work and you want to learn more about permaculture or organic gardening, this type of role will be ideal for you. Lots of towns and cities around the UK have initiatives that you could get involved in and have a direct and positive environmental impact.
Gardening For Wildlife Schemes
Part-time gardeners are sometimes hired by local councils or charities to maintain green spaces with biodiversity in mind. This might involve tasks such as planting pollinator-friendly flowers or maintaining wildlife corridors.
Again, this will have a direct impact on helping the environment in a positive way because you will be enhancing urban biodiversity, improving air quality and increasing green access for residents.
If you like the idea of gardening jobs – as well as many that help the environment, gardening can also have a positive impact on your mental health, take a look at some of our other ideas for types of gardening jobs.
Environmental Charity Roles
Part-Time Admin or Fundraising Support
Environmental charities often require part-time help with admin, marketing and fundraising efforts. This work helps sustain vital projects and campaigns.
And don’t worry if you don’t have offices or headquarters for these charities close to where you live. Many of these types of roles can be done from home or hybrid, depending on the charity.
Charity Shop Assistant (Environment-Focused Charities)
The charity shop you are working in doesn’t necessarily need to be an environmental charity. While not all charity shops are directly eco-focused, working at one promotes reuse of clothes and other goods and reduces landfill waste.
Sustainable Transport Jobs
Cycle Courier or Delivery Rider (For Ethical Companies)
Eco-conscious delivery services that use bicycles or electric vehicles often hire part-time staff.
Look for companies that prioritise carbon-neutral or low-emission delivery methods. Or you can work as a courier using your own bicycle or electric vehicle.
Bicycle Mechanic or Workshop Assistant
Community bike shops or cycling charities sometimes need part-time workshop assistants to fix bikes, support refurbishment projects or help people learn bike maintenance. Helping to keep people on the road – on their bicycles – has a direct and positive impact on the environment.
By maintaining bicycles for people, you are encouraging cycling over driving. You are also helping to reduce waste by refurbishing old bikes and maintaining existing newer bikes.
Eco-Friendly Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality & Tourism is a huge sector and it is often in the spotlight for having a detrimental effect on the environment. But there are lots of ways you can work in this sector and also encourage looking after the environment.
Eco-Lodge or Green B&B Assistant
Some small accommodation providers in the UK market themselves as eco-lodges, using renewable energy, composting and sustainable building practices. They may hire part-time staff during tourist seasons to help with cleaning, cooking or guest services.
If you are looking to do part time seasonal jobs that also minimise the effects of tourism on the environment, this type of work could be ideal for you.
Unless you can find a live-in role at a larger set up, this type of work is ideal for people who live in rural or scenic areas and areas around the coast. Places where people like to spend leisure time such as weekend breaks and school holidays.
Sustainable Tour Guide
Nature-focused or eco-tourism companies offer guided walks, birdwatching tours or water activities such as kayak trips with an environmental twist. Some of these companies hire part-time or freelance guides, especially in summer.
Your responsibilities would include educating visitors on local ecology, wildlife and conservation, all whilst ensuring minimal environmental impact.
If you like the idea of being a tour guide, you can also do other types of tour guide jobs that have minimal impact on the environment such as guided city walks in urban areas.
Environmental Research Support
Whether voluntary or paid work, there are often opportunities for this type of part time work.
Data Entry Or Field Assistant
Universities, environmental consultancies and research organisations often need short-term part-time help with entering environmental data, monitoring species or assisting in environmental impact assessments.
On a voluntary level, however, it could be helping charities like the RSPB with bird counts in your area or your back garden – a role where you don’t even need to leave your home.
Examples of this type of work include roles such as:
- Bird and insect counts
- Water quality testing
- Surveying for development projects
Anyone can get involved with national bird or insect counts run by larger charities and organisations. Paid part time work out in the field might suit students or science graduates looking for research experience.
Green Freelancing and Creative Roles
If you are creative, there will be lots of ideas you could come up with where you can use your talents to help the environment.
Sustainable Content Creator Or Blogger
If you have a knack for writing, photography or video editing, consider freelance content creation around sustainability topics.
Many eco brands and organisations need blog posts, social media content or educational videos.
You can network to make your own contacts or you can bid for gigs on freelancing websites. And, of course you can also set up your own platform – a blog and the social media around that to make a name for yourself as an environmental campaigner.
And the bonus is, you can do this around your own schedule and build a personal brand while spreading environmental awareness.
Eco Graphic Designer
If you have skills in the area of graphic design, you could help sustainability organisations or eco-businesses by designing green packaging, event posters or social media campaigns.
Remote and Digital Environmental Jobs
Virtual Assistant for Environmental Startups
Working as a VA is popular these days for those of you who are organised. And these roles are perfect if you want to work from home or work remotely, elsewhere.
Many sustainable businesses are small and remote-first, hiring part-time virtual assistants to manage emails, book travel, schedule posts or support admin tasks.
If you have great communication and organisational skills along with familiarity with remote tools like Slack and Trello, this could be a perfect part time job for you.
Online Tutor for Environmental Subjects
If you have a background in environmental science, geography or biology, consider online tutoring for school or university students. These types of roles can be part-time, remote and flexible, meaning you can work hours to suit you or that fit around your existing schedule.
You can find roles via online tutor platforms.
Working Part Time To Help The Environment
Working part-time doesn’t mean compromising on your values. In fact, it can give you the perfect balance between earning an income and actively participating in environmental stewardship.
Whether you are planting trees, educating children about climate change, fixing up old bikes or writing green blog posts from home, all of these smaller efforts combine to make the bigger differences.
The key is to make sure you find work that aligns with your personal strengths and interests. From outdoor, hands-on roles to quiet remote admin jobs, there are green part-time opportunities across every region of the UK.
With the rise in environmental awareness, more companies and organisations are prioritising sustainability and they need people like you to help lead the way.
Take a look at our current part time jobs listings to see if there are any vacancies to suit you.
