Warren Zipperer says he can earn up to $200 a week by collecting bottles and cans.(ABC Far North: Chris Calcino)
Warren Zipperer has become a familiar sight in the inner suburbs of Cairns in the two years since he started digging through bins for bottles and cans.
The former panelbeater and spray-painter sets out most days on his trusty tricycle to search for containers to cash in for 10c refunds.
It's tough work – and only legally allowed if a bin owner's consent is given – but it helps him earn a crust after a spinal injury made it impossible to ply his trade.
When he really commits, Mr Zipperer says he pulls in up to $200 a week.
"Being on [JobSeeker] sort of sucks, and it just helps pay for extras like my ute, fuel and so on ... so I can have a bit better lifestyle than just sitting on my arse all the time," he said.
"I started at the top of Murray Street … then it just got more and more.
"It's like you get something in your blood and you just keep doing it."
Warren trike has an electric-powered front wheel, rear suspension and an aluminium trailer he welded himself.(ABC Far North: Chris Calcino)
Hard, dirty work in the Cairns heat
Mr Zipperer lifted the back of his shirt to reveal a pinkish four-inch scar running up his lower spine like an oversized football seam.
"Sometimes I can't get out because of how I feel physically and mentally," he said.
"It's taken a toll on me, it really has."
He said he went from owning a business that reeled in $2,000 a week to living in a pensioner's cottage.
"I struggle to do this, but I do it because I lost my business from being misdiagnosed," he said.
"I've had back surgery, plus I've got to go back and have more surgery.
"I had a business in Atherton, it was called Zippy's Car Care for 12 years.
Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-31/cairns-bin-diver-can-man-warren-zipperer-recycles-for-extra-cash/102166354