Colombia, not Columbia

http://www.wiego.org/blog/inclusive-recycling-waste-pickers-medellin

Among them are the 3,663 waste pickers who make their living by collecting recyclables in the city – sometimes door-to-door, most times on the streets. The environmental impact of their work is generally not recognised, yet it provides a breather for the city’s landfill and raw materials for industries, improving the lives of the 2.5 million people living in the city. 

Its Thursday morning and we have a street corner where everyone leaves out recyclable waste for collection. Call it opportunity or exploitation, but these waste pickers (old, young, men and women) are unsung heroes. The streets and pavements around Laureles are immaculately clean. Okay it might be different in the poorer barrios. But somehow it works and it is very noticeable when driving about.

Public waste bins, commercial waste from restaurant kitchens, supermarkets and shops are also sorted into waste streams. It obviously saves local government money, and benefits in a small way the least fortunate.

We also have street vendors pulling carts or on cargo bikes selling all manner of things during the day. Hollering their wares, from cleaning products, brooms to fresh fruit and cold drinks. Everyone gives a little and unlicensed daily street trading persists.

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