LA MATANZA: Ayelen Torres weaves her trolley expertly through the streets on the outskirts of Argentina's capital, stopping every few steps to sift th...
View of “cartoneros” working at the “Cooperativa Construyendo Desde Abajo” in San Justo, La Matanza, Buenos Aires province, taken on October 5, 2023. AFPPIX: Ayelen Torres weaves her trolley expertly through the streets on the outskirts of Argentina's capital, stopping every few steps to sift through trash in search of recyclable cardboard or plastic.
“I think it’s a very denigrated job but, at the same time, it’s a beautiful job... what picking things up means, how it helps the environment. The strength you have to have, the courage, because in the street you encounter many things,“ said Torres, 25.“Whoever wins, I will still have to wake up at six in the morning” to go hunt for things to recycle, said Torres.
They faced fierce resistance from authorities and residents of the capital who didn't want them picking through their trash. In a good month, and counting a small government subsidy, Torres and Sosa earn about 132,000 pesos each -- almost the minimum wage.