A 7-year-old boy from California, USA has proven that it’s never too early to start taking care of the environment. When he was just 3 years old, Ryan Hickman visited a local recycling center with his father.
And the next day, he expressed the desire to collect recyclable materials from his neighbors. So began Ryan’s recycling campaign, in which the boy returned around 200,000 bottles and cans, saving him thousands of dollars.
Ryan asked his parents for empty bags for neighbors to put used cans and bottles in. The neighbors liked the idea and were happy to help the boy, as were his parents’ friends, colleagues and family members.
For 4 years, Ryan brought 22,226 kg of waste to the recycling center. His website says he spends quite a bit of time sorting plastic and glass bottles and jars.
Ryan has already raised $10,000 for his college education (although his website says he plans to buy his garbage truck), and $1,624 has gone to charity.
Ryan says people should recycle to save money and “because it will help nature”, as birds often eat non-organic waste and “can get sick and die”.
Ryan’s efforts ensure that waste does not end up in landfills and the oceans.
Ryan’s mum says he’s been giving it his all and wants everyone to feel the same way he did: “I think he’s touched us all before. Every time you walk past a can on the floor, you feel compelled to pick it up instead of just walking past it. »
