During our childhood days, one of the interesting and eventful visitations were those of the kabadiwala (the guy who collected recyclable things). Once a substantial amount of old newspapers, notebooks, magazines, bottles and other recyclable items collected, the kabadiwala was summoned. So generally during summer break and Sundays, the morning would be dedicated to the selling of junk. It was an interesting activity, the ladies of the house, kids, servants and dogs had their role. Mummy and amma would tell what all stuff to take out, servants would sort and keep everything out, we would be running around hoping to salvage some of the treasure and dogs would be barking madly.
Once the kabadiwala arrived, he would further sort out the stuff, place newspapers and magazines in bundles of 1-2 kg each, weighing everything and keeping aside. And while he was busy, we will always find some book or magazine that we wanted to keep and would take it as our most prized possession. Once the weighing was completed, came the stage of bargaining the price of the junk. We would want to sell for higher rate than what he wanted to buy it for and will finally settle at some mid price. After that he would collect everything on his handcart and leave.
While this selling of junk was a playful activity for us during our childhood, it was also an important lesson in environmental concern. We would've reusing and recycling. Reducing the waste and preserving nature. The kabadiwala played an important link between us and the recycling industry, without his role our recyclable junk would have ended up polluting the earth more. Those people who do the most meager jobs are the ones doing the most important jobs. They are the environmental crusaders. They are saving our present and our future by spending their time and their energy in doing what we consider ourselves too proud to do.
Coming to the USA, we have to take our recyclable junk to collection points ourselves. And there is no bargaining, everything has fixed price. We collect and sort everything beforehand, there is no designated Sunday or summer day. We have to carry everything ourselves. It does not involve the hustle and bustle of childhood days and we have become our own kabadiwala.
Once the kabadiwala arrived, he would further sort out the stuff, place newspapers and magazines in bundles of 1-2 kg each, weighing everything and keeping aside. And while he was busy, we will always find some book or magazine that we wanted to keep and would take it as our most prized possession. Once the weighing was completed, came the stage of bargaining the price of the junk. We would want to sell for higher rate than what he wanted to buy it for and will finally settle at some mid price. After that he would collect everything on his handcart and leave.
While this selling of junk was a playful activity for us during our childhood, it was also an important lesson in environmental concern. We would've reusing and recycling. Reducing the waste and preserving nature. The kabadiwala played an important link between us and the recycling industry, without his role our recyclable junk would have ended up polluting the earth more. Those people who do the most meager jobs are the ones doing the most important jobs. They are the environmental crusaders. They are saving our present and our future by spending their time and their energy in doing what we consider ourselves too proud to do.
Coming to the USA, we have to take our recyclable junk to collection points ourselves. And there is no bargaining, everything has fixed price. We collect and sort everything beforehand, there is no designated Sunday or summer day. We have to carry everything ourselves. It does not involve the hustle and bustle of childhood days and we have become our own kabadiwala.
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