Reuse, Recycle, Rectify

Hong Kong has about 5,000 elderly rubbish scavengers.

View large image Combing public refuse stations and street garbage bins, they collect cardboard boxes, newspapers and discarded office paper. Many work long hours, yet receive so little income from recyclers (30 cents per kilogram in 2002) they can't buy decent food. Should they be injured and unable to work, they're on their own.

Despite providing a valuable service to the government, which saves $100 in disposal costs for each tonne of waste removed, scavengers get no compensation.

Though making advancements in recycling and environmental protection, the government is taking advantage of collectors.

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