"African Shadow" by Marty Smith

RECYCLE

Developing Sustainable People

I am past the point of caring about people who complain about things but never initiate a change in their behavior and or surroundings. I no longer give money to beggars, drunks and druggies who refuse to pick up the can or bottle and recycle it. As the economy and income opportunities have slowed down, Americans should begin to alter their life styles in order to save money and spend less. Many need to begin by greening their own lives. Beyond healthy eating, we must also develop healthy thinking practices. For years I have been recycling plastics, bottles and cans. When I was a kid I wanted to go see Prince and Vanity 6 so I collected and sold cans and bought a ticket. I once took less on a film shoot just so I 

Mc Donald's (Florence & Figueroa) Has Been a great supporter

could take all the recyclables. That move netted me over $300 in additional income. Last year alone I have recycled on average about $20.00 a week. For me it was easy because I ride a bicycle through the neighborhood and pick it up. Rarely do I go into a trash can. People just litter everywhere and I scoop it up! Now $20 may not mean much to you but I have been unemployed since May 2010. Recently I bought a truck and began recycling cardboard. I had never done this because it takes so much to make $20. However, I see many Latinos hauling card board nonstop as a primary source of income.  Me having a business mind, I talked to several store managers to see how I could get all their boxes exclusively. Initially it worked fine then the hate began. Many Latinos don’t want any blacks to succeed so; I never approach them for too much in Los Angeles. Meanwhile the black church that feeds the poor said I could have all the boxes I could carry and they would call me to pick them up. Of course they lied. They followed me around and began to call only when I was busy picking up other locations. Eventually those devils stopped calling all together. Blacks and Latinos have tried to block my truck or distract me so I could not make my rounds. One guy even went into the store I was working with and told them he was with me. Many of these locations had no real interest or rush from people desperate to get boxes, but because it is me now the hood hate emerges. In fact most of this material goes into the trash. But a change and greater opportunity is occurring. After taking my first loads of boxes, I was impressed that they recycle everything including trash. They run a conveyor belt and sort paper waster from plastic waste and people get paid for recycling trash that others throwaway daily. Many people do like me and began to sit recyclables in my path so I could get it. I told an Asian liquor store owner that I wanted all his boxes and he said the demand was too great and I would have to come at 7pm. I reminded him that I am also a customer and now he conveniently sits all his paper and boxes out every morning. I have gone from one $20 load a week to about four. I am expanding and recently recycled some of my old broken electronics and computers. I have begun to collect every type of plastic from motor oil plastic bottles to plastic cups. Industrial recyclers don’t care as much about CRV material, they just want product. So everything is fair game and it is free.  Eventually I will give my supporters free advertising. My goal is to get to about $200 a week in total green income. What are you waiting on?

Marty Smith