Governments around the world are grappling with how to tackle the scourge of single-use plastic, but for the people of Bangun trash equals cash. Around two-thirds of the town’s residents eke out a living sorting and selling discarded plastic bottles, wrappers and cups back to local companies, and after China blocked imports of foreign garbage early this year — the pile is growing. “I have three kids — all of them go to university,” Keman, who goes by one name, proudly tells AFP as he stands in a field of ankle-deep trash.
