[Report] Despite Fine Dust, "We Must Earn Medicine Money"... Elderly and Their Rear Carts

Despite Fine Dust, Rickshaws Head to Junkyards
"Regardless of Air Quality, We Must Come Out"
Recycling Paper Price 50 Won per Kg... "Earn 3000 Won"

"Fine dust or whatever, we have to go out a lot, what can we do"

At around 11 a.m. on the 20th, in front of a junk shop in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Despite the air being hazy as if covered in fog due to the whitish dust, elderly people pushed wheelbarrows piled higher than their own bodies with waste paper and recyclables toward the junk shop. From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day, the metropolitan area was under a fine particulate matter (PM2.5) crisis alert at the 'interest' level, and emergency reduction measures were implemented. An elderly man who arrived later had to wait several minutes in front of the junk shop door to weigh his wheelbarrow because those who came first were being weighed. The eyes of one elderly man who had finished weighing his wheelbarrow followed the trash that the junk shop staff threw around quickly for sorting.

In the morning of the 20th, in front of a junk shop in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. An elderly man is waiting to weigh the waste paper and recyclables he brought. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

On days with severe fine dust, elderly people are advised to refrain from going out, but such advice was meaningless to them. Collecting waste paper was equivalent to survival for them. Ms. Go (72, female) said, "Regardless of whether the air is good or bad, I come out unconditionally even in the dead of winter or during the rainy season," adding, "We don’t receive any separate support payments, and since I live with my husband and both of us are not in good health, I want to cover the cost of medicine without asking the children for help." Ms. Go said she had been wearing the same KF94 mask for two days. Her black mask was stained with brown dust like dirt. She said, "These masks cost 1,500 won each, which is too expensive." Today, Ms. Go earned 5,700 won from collecting waste paper. Mr. Kim (70), who started from Guro-dong and had been wandering around for five hours, said, "I live alone at home and have been doing this work for five years," adding, "To make a living, I have no choice but to go out regardless of fine dust." Mr. Kim arrived at the junk shop carrying a total of 240 kg, including a 50 kg backpack frame.

The price of waste paper has also dropped significantly compared to last year, leaving no time to worry about fine dust. Ms. Cheon (84, female) was wearing a dental mask that does not filter fine dust. She said, "The price has dropped a lot recently to 50 won per kg," adding, "I brought 83 kg today, and after subtracting the 25 kg weight of the wheelbarrow, I earned 3,000 won." Ms. Cheon carried a gauze soaked in water inside her mask to breathe more comfortably while going around. According to statistics from the Resource Circulation Information System, the nationwide average price of waste corrugated cardboard last month was 77 won per kg, about half of the same month last year (148 won). The price of waste newspapers also dropped from 155 won to 139 won.

An elderly man who emptied waste collection items at a junkyard is crossing the crosswalk pulling an empty handcart.
Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

The junk shop operators also expressed regret about this situation. Mr. Kang (70), who runs a junk shop, said, "Elderly people who go out to make a living come every day without missing a single day throughout the year," adding, "Last year, waste paper was about 100 won per kg, but it has dropped to 50 won, which is very unfortunate." Mr. Lee (56) also explained, "The price of waste paper does have cycles, but it usually improves in spring, yet the price shows no sign of recovery," adding, "If paper companies do not accept waste paper, the price is lowered at the compression center, and that cost is passed on to the junk shops. Since we also have to pay rent, we have no choice but to lower the unit price paid to the elderly."