GUA MUSANG: For the past two years, Wan Azli Wan Abdullah has grown accustomed to the pungent, fishy odour of rubbish as he searches for recyclable items to earn extra income to support his family.
The 37-year-old security guard at a private company spends his spare time collecting discarded items at a dumpsite near Kampung Kundur here.
"With a salary of RM1,700 a month, it's just not enough to cover living expenses, especially with rising costs. That's why I took this job, even if people look down on me.
"I don't mind what others say. I just want to earn halal money to support my wife and children, aged four to 10," he told reporters at the dumpsite recently, adding that among the items he picked up were plastic bottles and cans.
Wan Azli, who lives in Kampung Rahmat, said he always took pride in his work, despite being labelled a rubbish collector.
"I will spend the week collecting all these items before selling them to scrap dealers.
"The most valuable items are copper, which I can sell for RM25 per kg, while beverage cans go for RM3 and plastic bottles for RM0.40 per kg," he said, adding that he could earn up to RM400 a month.
Wan Azli said he spent four days a week collecting and separating solid waste from 8am until noon.
"Sometimes my father-in-law, Hassan Sudin, 58, joins me in collecting these used items. In fact, there are almost 20 others who also make a living at this dumpsite," he said. – Bernama
