OBSERVATION: The recycling of cardboard in Hong Kong is often via a grassroots army of elderly and often impoverished “cardboard grannies” who can be seen pushing massive carts of cardboard across town to scrap collectors, which often use roadways for loading and sorting activities.
SOLUTION: Provide dedicated purpose-built Community Recycling Centers to minimize travel distances, incentive the public to participate in recycling programs, and provide financial assistance to the elderly.
In 2017, it was estimated that 340,000 people over the age of 65 were living in poverty. The income disparity that exists in Hong Kong today is exemplified by the many elderly low-income residents — predominantly women — who have become urban scavengers to make ends meet. According to recent studies, many of these “cardboard grannies” ranging in age from 60 – 80 haul up to 70kg of cardboard a day for a meager payout of only HK$50 (US$6.40).
The current ad-hoc system pays on the basis of weight, which often has these entrepreneurial grannies wasting precious water to soak their cardboard to increase its weight — and the corresponding payout.
Scrap collection areas in the urban areas are often cramped within tiny ground floor recesses of buildings, necessitating the use of sidewalks and roadways (technically Government Land) for loading / unloading, sorting, and breaking down various components by hand before consolidation in cardboard balers and glass crushers. As a result, in some areas young children walking between residential areas and public transport interchanges often need to “run the gauntlet” along sidewalks strewn with twisted metal, broken glass and other hazards.
Could there be a better way?
- Could purpose-built Neighborhood Recycling Centers be established to minimize travel distances, encourage all residents to recycle, and provide safe passage along the city’s sidewalks?
- Could financial incentives be provided as motivation for people to recycle … instead of leaving this to the financially challenged elderly?
- Could additional financial assistance be provided to the low-income elderly to relieve them of scavenging in their golden years and enjoy retirement?