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© Victòria Rovira Casanovas

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SCRAP DEALER

SCRAP DEALER

Catalonia, Spain. 2020

Modou and Daouda arrived in Sabadell (Barcelona) in 2017. Since then they have lived, or rather, they survive off the collection of scrap metal they find on the street, either inside the containers or, hopefully, from the city’s residents -.

They live in an apartment with 4 people and pay rent € 150 for head. They get up every day at 7 in the morning and fold at 5 in the afternoon. During these 10 hours they walk more than 10 kilometers. With a full cart, if they have it, they go to the nearest different points of purchase of scrap metal and cables and there they sell what they have collected. The maximum they get for day is €10. There are days when they come home empty-handed. These scrap metal warehouses buy iron from people like Madou and Daouda and then sell it to foundries. Iron is purchased at 9 cents for kg; lead at €1/kg and 60 cents/kg for aluminum. “We are dedicated to this because we have no other option.” “If we don’t walk there won’t be a single euro.”

Modou starts his workday.
Modou starts his workday.
Modou starts his workday.
Modou starts his workday.
Daouda observes a building site in case he finds someone who can give him material.
Daouda observes a building site in case he finds someone who can give him material.
Modou looks inside a container.
Modou looks inside a container.
The workers of an old delicatessen in works, give them Iron.
The workers of an old delicatessen in works, give them Iron.
Modou continues walking in the heart of the city of Sabadell. They have already traveled a few kilòmetres.
Modou continues walking in the heart of the city of Sabadell. They have already traveled a few kilòmetres.
Modou continues walking in the heart of the city of Sabadell. They have already traveled a few kilòmetres.
Modou continues walking in the heart of the city of Sabadell. They have already traveled a few kilòmetres.
Modou calls on the phone while waiting for Daouda.
Modou calls on the phone while waiting for Daouda.
Modou collects the iron that a neighbor has given him.
Modou collects the iron that a neighbor has given him.
Modou collects the iron that a neighbor has given them.
Modou collects the iron that a neighbor has given them.
Modou inside company that buys iron and cables and sell what he has found.
Modou inside company that buys iron and cables and sell what he has found.
A scrap metal company scale that calculates the weight of the material they buy.
A scrap metal company scale that calculates the weight of the material they buy.
Modou shows the euros you have earned by selling the one you have found.
Modou shows the euros you have earned by selling the one you have found.