Ragpickers

August 9, 2009 6:09 PM

The Ragpicker's Dream (Short). World at Work: Brazilian Ragpickers. What it feels like to be a Ragpicker. Their contradictions, and a mobile home for them to sleep in.
posted by hadjiboy (2 comments total)

We can all learn from them: the Zabaleen, Cairo's ragpickers, were able to recycle 80% of the garbage they collected before being supplanted by two companies from Spain and one from Italy. The best these companies can do is salvage 20% of the garbage. (from the book "Dispossessed" by Mark Kramer)
posted by francesca too at 6:58 PM on August 9, 2009

Thank you, hippybear--I needed a good hit in the shins for that.
posted by hadjiboy at 7:47 PM on August 9, 2009