Here is a translation of the text of a video message which was sent by His Holiness, Pope Francis to the Federation of Cartoneros y Recicladores (literally, cardboard people and recyclers), the poor people who collect garbage in various places around the world. The message was recorded during a private audience with the Argentinian union of cartoneros y recicladores.
In this assembly of cartoneros and recicladores, think about how to continue forward in this work of recycling - forgive me for saying - what is leftover. Because what is leftover is rich. Today we can’t afford to despise that which is leftover. We are living in a throwaway culture where we easily dispose of leftover things, but people as well. You recycle and with this, two things are produced: first, yours is an ecological effort, which is necessary, and on the other hand, it is a production that promotes brotherhood and gives dignity to one’s work; you are creative in your production, but also creative in caring for the earth and for the world in this ecological dimension. Do you know that the food that is thrown away can feed all the hungry people in the world? Think about this as you continuously find food that is thrown away. And remain with this conscience: that recycling is not only ecological - which is something great - but also productive to everyone else. And be conscious that food should not be wasted, because there are children who are hungry.
Thank you for what you do.
Video message of His Holiness, Pope Francis
to trash collectors
In this assembly of cartoneros and recicladores, think about how to continue forward in this work of recycling - forgive me for saying - what is leftover. Because what is leftover is rich. Today we can’t afford to despise that which is leftover. We are living in a throwaway culture where we easily dispose of leftover things, but people as well. You recycle and with this, two things are produced: first, yours is an ecological effort, which is necessary, and on the other hand, it is a production that promotes brotherhood and gives dignity to one’s work; you are creative in your production, but also creative in caring for the earth and for the world in this ecological dimension. Do you know that the food that is thrown away can feed all the hungry people in the world? Think about this as you continuously find food that is thrown away. And remain with this conscience: that recycling is not only ecological - which is something great - but also productive to everyone else. And be conscious that food should not be wasted, because there are children who are hungry.
Thank you for what you do.
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