Recycling people

By technologists

From Mel West:
3-11-19
RECYCLING – MILK JUGS, TIN CANS AND PEOPLE: # 961
The hand-cranked wheelchairs, called “PETs”, are shipped in large cardboard boxes, 43″x16″x27″. The PET is partially disassembled, and when put into the box there are empty spaces around it. Shipped that way the PET would rattle around in the box and punch holes in the sides. As the project developed we had to do something about that.
The normal commercial answer would be to purchase large sheets of styrofoam and cut them to fill the empty spaces. But we had two problems with that. First, that would cost money. Second, we did not want to further scatter styrofoam around the world, especially into communities that had no trash disposal services.
The answer was milk jugs and tin cans. Gallon and half gallon plastic milk jugs, CLEAN, and with the lid on, just exactly filled the spaces that needed to be filled to keep the PET secure in the box. The tin cans, 16 oz. size, and CLEAN and without labels, fit over the end of the axles to keep them from punching the walls of the box.
When the PETs are opened overseas in the areas of poverty the milk jugs are eagerly sought for use in carrying and storing water. The tin cans are used for drinking glasses or other purposes.
BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE RECYCLE IS THE PERSON WHO RECEIVES THAT PET.
Persons who have been crawling upon the ground for years, or have had to be carried about, then arise to a new life of hope, pride, dignity, comfort, and productivity.
A lot of doing mission is just plain common sense.
Mel West