Riverton ‘sorters’ not deterred by COVID

While the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a halt on many businesses in the country, persons who rummage at the Riverton City Dump in St Andrew say their livelihood has never stalled.

They continue to sort for gold, copper and scrap metal, which are their most valuable finds these days.

One 'sorter' as they refer to themselves, Raymond Jackson, told THE STAR that the Riverton Dump is always receiving garbage therefore they are always occupied.

"Nothing nuh change fi we because rubbish have to come. Even more come now that people a stay home," he said. "Even wah day in the Christmas, because everybody buy new fridge, stove and things like that, a lot of old ones come in, so we get scrap metal."

The River City Dump, established about 50 years ago, is Jamaica's largest solid waste disposal site. Another sorter, who calls himself Mr Black, who has lived in Riverton for over eight years, says the dump is of great economic value to himself and others in the community.

"We look for copper, gold and metal now when we find it, we sell it to buyers who would want a truckload to sell to bigger company," said Black. "Everybody who live here can hustle and live, because a man can make a $1,000 or $2,000 to go buy some food."

"People all dig for cardboard as well, because truck buy it from we and recycle it. A just every mikkle mek a mukkle yah so," he said. "We a survive round here because a ghetto this and people do what work for them."

He added "All people from St Thomas come here and dig up during the days, and evening time them bathe off and go home."

THE STAR understands that scrap metal, which is what most sorters dig for, goes for J$3 per pound.

"Even like a fridge a man will use a tractor run over it and press it out, then sell it and make a good change, because a fridge heavy. After they purchase it from us at the dump, they bring it to big company and make back like a $10,000 on their money. So it is good business for everybody," Lloyd Frazer, a sorter for 15 years, told THE STAR.

He was actively digging through a garbage truck which was waiting to empty its contents, despite admitting that things have been slow for a few days.

"But me still a see what I can find; me out here every single day," he said.