Behind the bins: A day in the life of bin pickers in Delft
For many, bin day is just a regular routine of the week, but for Raymond Blankenberg and Charlotte from Delft, it is an opportunity to put food on the table.
The two live in the same street in Roosendal, Delft, but say they have been hustling together every day for years.
"We need to start our day at 4am in the morning or else we will be late," said Raymond.
"I walk from Bellville to Pelican Park to Blackheath and even Brackenfell. I collect everything from mixed plastics to cans, cardboards, paper, anything that the scrapyard will take. I collect filled barley bags and take them in for cash.”
Charlotte, 52, echo’s the same sentiments saying: “We walk very far, my feet cannot take it, but we have no choice, our families need to eat. We don’t get much money from the scrapyard for these bags, not even R100. Very little, but the scrapyard is dodgy, everyday the price differs. There is a lot of competition on the street but what can we do, work is scarce and we need to eat. When the road is full (of people hustling) then we don’t worry, then we move on to the next road and get the other dust bins. We already know on which days the lorry comes and in which areas, so we make sure we are there before the others get there."
It is a race against time as the "dirt lorry" is in the area to empty the bins and for Raymond and Charlotte they need to get to the bins before the lorry does.
“In one day I go to three different areas. Some people look out for us and will keep us scrap or food aside but others are stingy with their bins,” said Raymond.
He said he worked with waste at the Waterfront and in town.
He said he has the support of his family but hustling has become his daily routine.
“My grandchildren help me, they collect cans and bring them home to me. I know about waste, this is why I do this. Some scrap yards take everything but others don’t but I collect everything for my bread and butter.”
As the Cape Argus sister publication, the Daily Voice spoke to Raymond and Charlotte while they were rummaging through the bins, Charlotte asked one resident: “Good morning Sir, are you not going to take the bin out?”
Moments later the resident brought his bin out along with some plastic bags for Charlotte.
“Last week when it was raining we walked in this rain, come rain or sunshine we walk. I have gout and I was very sore because I am not attending hospital for treatment. I can’t still think of a hospital because while I am sitting and waiting for assistance who is going to provide for me and if you ask people they don’t have to help you.
"I have to sort out my hospital stuff so that I can get a ‘Olapie’(also known as All Pay or Sassa) but I don’t get a chance to get to that because that is an entire process,” she said.
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