Recycling trucks

I admire recycling and garbage collectors in China. Recycling collection in China is not considered to be a directly state-sponsored occupation, but rather involves individuals collecting scraps to turn in for a small profit at local recycling plants. This means that you often see recycling collectors digging through trash cans trying to find recyclable materials.

Most of the recycling trucks, even in the city, are pulled or pedaled manually (that is, the "trucks" either consist of a huge cart with two wheels that is pulled in a reverse-wheelbarrow style or a tricycle with a large "truck bed"). I'm always impressed when I see a tricycle driver cycling up a hill, with his or her truck bed piled high with cardboard, wood, plastic or other recyclable goods. Official garbage trucks are also often pulled manually, not unlike a huge wheelbarrow, especially in Old Nanjing since the alleys are too narrow for cars or trucks. Vendors ride tricycles with products, such as shoes, household products, or fruits and vegetables on a big platform in the back. Here are some pictures I've collected over the past couple months.

This is the tricycle of Old Nanjing's local recycling man, Gao Wei, who is probably the happiest person I've ever met. His placard say, "Household Electronic Recycling: Refrigerators, Furniture, Air Conditioners, Computers, Washing Machines," ect, ect... He rides his tricycle around the neighborhood collecting anything he can get his hands on, including glass and plastic. He makes about 300 RMB a day.

This is the back of Gao Wei's tricycle, advertising all of the recycling services he provides, such as picking up your old washing machine when you are moving. 

Gao Wei going through the garbage looking for recyclable goods. He also collects garbage bags he finds on the street and goes through them each day, finding things to recycle (Chinese people will typically just throw everything together, leaving it up to the recycling collectors to separate everything out).

A shoe vendor in Old Nanjing. This little shoe store is on the back of a tricycle.

Tricycle vendor in Old Nanjing

Vegetable seller

Garbage truck on Nanjing University's campus, this particular garbage collector is a professional, he is wearing a uniform that says "sanitation department."

Shoe store on the back of a tricycle

Here is an empty garbage truck. The Chinese says, "Preserving Life Vehicle"

I was impressed by this recycling truck

Garbage collector in Old Nanjing. He is also a professional in the sanitation department wearing a uniform, in this way garbage collectors are different from the recycling collectors.