Life and Worldviews of Garbage Collectors in Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This article presents the experiences and the worldviews of 11 garbage collectors in Mueang and Varin Chamrap districts of Ubon Ratchathani Province area. Key informants were chosen by snowball and accidental sampling. With qualitative research approach, in-depth interview and non-participation observation are employed. Two garbage store owners were interviewed as additional key informants. The results of the study showed diverse lifestyles and various work experiences among collectors of garbage for sale. A synthesis has placed the findings in two groups: a garbage collector who crawls garbage for sale only and a garbage collector who both crawls garbage for sale and purchases garbage. Several reasons for becoming a garbage collector include unemployment, retirement, health problems, migration, and lucrative hobby. Each individual had a career change and experienced different changes in life, which resulted in their choice to be a full-time garbage collector or just an additional occupation. The informants have reflected different worldviews about being garbage collector, yet positive. Their points of view include (1) garbage collectors are diligent people, (2) garbage collectors value the profession as a decent career to earn a living for family, and (3) garbage collector is probably a choice for aged people to contribute to society and environment.