“Tea We buy all what is oldold washing machine, fan oldair-conditioning old! “. How many times the Dominican will have heard this expression, from the horn of a bus loaded with old junk in the streets of Santo Domingo?
The trade of Buyers of Metals Viejos has been in the streets of the Dominican Republic for many decades, and does not seem to disappear. This peculiar trade, which often goes from generation to generation, helps recycling and reduce pollution.
Ricardo Contreras It is one of those workers who travel the capital in search of disuse objects. With his little truck, popularly known as “Guagüita Platanera”, buys stoves, washing machines, mattresses and any article containing metal.
“There are days that one does not earn anything, and others in which one thousand, two thousand or up to five thousand pesos is earned if there is luck. My dad taught me this job And since then I have dedicated myself to this, “he says Contreras.
What do they do with Metals old?
The objective of this work is to collect, buy and sell Metals such as iron, aluminum, copper, bronze and stainless steel. Many of these materials end up being exported To countries such as China, India, the United States, and Türkiye, where they are reused in the heavy industry and construction.
Rafael Rosaryowner of a material collection center, explains how this chain works. In your business you receive the Metals both of Buyers streets as individuals and companies that carry their waste.
“You We buy the Metals To those who collect them in the street, and then we sell them to the importers. What people bounced before the trash, now have value, “he said Rosary.
- In collection centers, Metals HE classifyweigh according to their type and pay the supplier. Subsequently, companies crush and pack the material for export.
Impact to the economy
The sale and recycling of Metals It has a impact positive in the economy Dominican, especially in terms of employment. Thousands of people in urban and rural neighborhoods are dedicated to this activity, generating income newspapers for their homes. In addition, there are collection and recycling centers that use technical and administrative personnel.
It is also an exit economic For people without access to jobs formal
