These New Yorkers pay their bills, support their families and even help put their kids through college by collecting cans.
On a recent Wednesday evening, the blue-tinted plastic-bags loaded with empty cans and drained bottles look like a bunch of garbage to passers-by on the corner of Riverside Drive and West 89th Street. But to a group of family members from Queens, headed up by Jeanett Pilatacsi, they symbolize a livelihood.
Each bag is filled with about 200 discarded beverage containers — valued at five cents apiece when redeemed at an Elmsford, NY recycling center. Bit-by-bit, all of that aluminum and plastic provides an income for the Pilatacsi clan.
On the most profitable days, ambitious canners can accumulate 100 blue bags of returnables, which adds up to $1,000 in profits.
The Pilatacsis are not alone. According to Ryan Castalia, executive director of the non-profit Sure We Can redemption center, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 New Yorkers make money by collecting cans, bottles and plastic containers, and returning them to outlets for refunds. Of those, some 100 earn livelihoods through canning. Last month, it was reported that millionaire landlord Lisa Fiekowsky is known for collecting cans and bottles in her Brooklyn neighborhood and redeeming them.
Ray del Carmen, who lives in Brooklyn and now works as a manager at Sure We Can, said the savviest can-collectors know that some days are more profitable than others. Though his full-time canning days are behind him — he still helps out his girlfriend who collects cans for a living — he remembers one holiday most fondly.
Jeanett Pilatacsi (in yellow apron) with members of her family, who collect up to 100 bags of cans a day — a haul worth $1,000.William C. Lopez/NY Post
“St. Patrick’s Day was the best day,” Del Carmen told The Post. “Everyone starts drinking early. So, from 2 p.m. until 4 a.m., going from bar to bar, between 42nd Street and 45th Street, I made $800, working alone, in one day. They threw away empty bottles and cans, and I took them.”
Another hot hotspot is Flash Dancers. He remembers capitalizing on the jiggle-joint’s policy of pushing customers to purchase drinks. “In four or five hours, I could get 2,400 bottles” — which would generate $120.
Here are three stories of can collectors, all immigrants who arrived on US shores with no money and limited skills. Finding gold in other people’s refuse, they have turned themselves into shoestring entrepreneurs and discovered their American dreams.
Pilatacsi (in pink) said she and her family of 12 own a house in Rego Park, Queens, and their revenues pay all their bills.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Family Affair
While wealthy New Yorkers look askance at can collectors lugging recyclables through ritzy neighborhoods, Jeanett Pilatacsi, 38, says it is an occupation that brings self-respect and good pay.
“This is better than my old job, working in a candle factory,” she told The Post. “It was too many hours for too little money. Now, my family and I, we work together, from noon until 8pm, collecting cans until we fill up our truck.”
The bags are transported in a white 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van, purchased with credit. Sometimes the vehicle and the family members work overtime: “We’ll go out from 1 a.m. until 2 a.m. and collect bottles and cans from bars before they close.”
After Pilatacsi and her family bought this 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van two years ago, she said, they were able to turn their can collecting pursuit into a proper business.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Their payoff tonight will come in cash, more than $600 for a long day of work, when a truck pulls up from the Elmsford-based recycling company Galvanize Group to take the goods.
Smaller, additional bags hold glass, but, Pilatacsi said, “Bottles are the hardest part. They are so heavy.” They also pay the same five cents per receptacle as aluminum and plastic — a sum that has stubbornly stuck in place since 1983, when five cents then was worth 15 cents now.
Though Pilatacsi and her family of a dozen are satisfied to be making bank this way, the business began out of necessity.
Pilatacsi said collecting cans came out of necessity after her father lost his construction job.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
“Fifteen years ago, my father lost his job in construction,” she said. “It was scary. We did not know how we would pay the rent. He went out with a shopping cart and started gathering cans. Now he is retired and we took over.”
At the beginning, she added, he would accumulate 30 boxes of returnables per week. Now, on their best days, the family members collect as many as 100 bags, which would be good for $1,000.
Their decision to treat can collecting as a business made it all possible, she said. They learned the value of forging relationships with doormen and porters, in order to obtain their discarded treasures, and to ignore the haters. “Sometimes people will say to me that we’re digging in garbage,” she explained with an eye roll. “But we don’t care. We know what we’re doing.”
She said a key element to successful can collecting is forging relationships with buildings’ doormen and porters.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
All 12 collection crew members are related and live together in a Rego Park house that they own. Pilatacsi said their profits from canning pay all their bills. When they’re not working, they eat meals communally, help to raise one another’s children and share in the thousands that can be earned each week.
After a day of canning in Manhattan, where they tend to forage from 99th to 86th Streets, Pilatacsi likes to unwind with a shower, family dinner and telenovela before going to bed, waking up the next morning and starting all over again.
The kids help collect cans every now and then when they’re not in school. Pilatacsi’s nephew Nelson, 11, plans to attend college and recently pitched in during the waning days of summer vacation. On weekends, he said, “We all take it easy and go to the park together.”
Former construction worker Mario Palonci, 70, said he makes up for financial shortfalls by collecting 2,000 cans a night when he can muster up the energy.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Retirement Plan
For Mario Palonci, a 70-year-old immigrant from the Czech Republic, canning has served as a lifeline.
A reformed alcoholic — “I drank 20 or 30 cans of beer per day,” he told The Post. “Beer, beer, beer…” — who had been living on the street after his construction jobs dried up, he now resides in a Brooklyn shelter and makes up for financial shortfalls by collecting 2,000 cans per night when he musters the energy to do it.
“Most people who work all night, they go home,” Palonci told The Post. “I spend the morning sorting through my cans, organizing them, putting them in the proper bags. It’s hard work, but it is the best work for me.”
Palonci came to New York from the Czech Republic.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Besides providing money, he said it earns him respect. “I work on Bedford Street,” said Palonci, who said he suffers from type 2 diabetes and transports his redeemable goods in a cart. “The bar owners know me and know that there will be no disorder from me. I am a professional.”
Meals are offered to him at the shelter but money from canning provides Palonci with other essentials. Besides additional food, transportation and clothing, he said, “I must have cigarettes and Internet. I need to read the news from home.”
Josefa Marin said she helped put her daughter through college via can collecting. Now, she and her boyfriend, Pedro Romero, are a team, foraging for cans nightly.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Dual Income
For Josefa Marin, an immigrant from Mexico, the collecting of cans means nothing less than a better future for her child. During the early 2000s, her daughter was commuting from home to Briarcliffe College on Long Island, and Marin struggled to get by with a succession of low-paying jobs. One was in a clothing factory, another in a restaurant. After losing the restaurant gig and unable to find another, she turned to can collecting to pay for her daughter’s books, meals and commuting expenses.
Talking to others who collected cans, 53-year-old Marin picked up tips and discovered something amazing about a line of labor that seemed like a last resort.
“I’m my own boss and can work hard to be successful. I walked through Bushwick and Greenpoint, going into bars and restaurants, asking for their cans and bottles. At the beginning I was making $20 or $30 a day. Then it got to $90.”
Collecting cans allows Marin to be her own boss.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
These days, Marin benefits from her established connections with building workers who appreciate her coming by and taking bags of recyclable refuse off their hands.
“It’s all about relationships,” she said. “You show your work ethic and come with respect. You don’t make a mess and leave everything better than it was before you got there.”
In 2011, she had a chance meeting with a man called Pedro Romero, who was from her hometown of Puebla. He, too, was struggling to get by in NYC. They recognized one another, fell in love and combined forces to profitably can together. They now live together in a Williamsburg walk-up and work night and day, sleeping when they can (often in their car, which gets used for transport).
Marin and Romero can pull in up to 5,000 cans a day.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
As a team, she said they pull in 5,000 cans a day. Because they do their own sorting and separating at the non-profit Sure We Can, they can yield 6.5 cents per can.
When the couple considers their future, they have the same dream as many people nearing their golden years.
“Eventually, we want to take it easy” said Romero. “We are saving money and looking forward to returning home to our country. We’d like to retire together in Mexico.”
Combining Peer Tutoring and Professional Class Help Services: A Powerful Approach to Academic Success
In the world of education, the journey online class help toward academic success is often shaped by a combination of factors. For many students, mastering complex subjects and excelling in coursework requires more than just classroom instruction. Peer tutoring and professional class help services have emerged as essential tools in bridging knowledge gaps and enhancing learning experiences. When combined effectively, these two approaches can provide a comprehensive support system for students, resulting in a more holistic, well-rounded educational experience.
This article will explore the benefits and challenges of combining peer tutoring and professional class help services, highlighting how this dual approach can empower students to achieve academic success. We will discuss the unique advantages of both methods, the role they play in supporting students' learning, and how educators and students can make the most of both resources. Additionally, we will explore practical strategies for integrating these services to create a personalized and effective academic support system.
Understanding Peer Tutoring and Professional Class Help Services
Before diving into how these two services can be combined, it's essential to understand what each offers individually and how they function within the educational system.
Peer Tutoring: The Power of Student-to-Student Support
Peer tutoring is a learning strategy in which students help one another understand course material and academic concepts. Peer tutors are often students who have successfully mastered the subject matter and are able to provide explanations, answer questions, and assist their peers in areas where they may be struggling. Peer tutoring is commonly used in schools and universities, both formally (through organized tutoring programs) and informally (through study groups or one-on-one assistance).
Some key benefits of peer tutoring include:
Relatability: Peer tutors can often explain concepts in a way that resonates with their fellow students. Since they have recently learned the material themselves, they are typically better able to empathize with the struggles of their peers and offer explanations that are more accessible and understandable.
Increased Engagement: Peer tutoring creates an environment in which students are actively involved in their own learning and in helping others. This peer-to-peer interaction can foster a deeper understanding of the material and greater academic confidence.
Cost-Effective: Peer tutoring programs are often low-cost or free, making them an accessible resource for students who may have limited access to more expensive professional services. Additionally, peer tutoring programs are often peer-led, reducing costs associated with hiring external tutors or instructors.
Building Communication and Leadership Skills: Peer tutors not only help others but also develop their own communication, leadership, and mentoring skills. Tutoring can enhance their understanding of the subject matter, as teaching others reinforces their knowledge and ability to explain complex ideas.
Professional Class Help Services: Expert Guidance and Specialized Support
Professional class help Help Class Online services, on the other hand, provide students with access to experienced educators or tutors who are experts in their field. These services may take many forms, including private tutoring, online tutoring platforms, academic coaching, and writing assistance. Professional tutors are typically highly qualified, often possessing advanced degrees and a deep understanding of the subject they teach.
Some of the key benefits of professional class help services include:
Expertise and Specialized Knowledge: Professional tutors bring a level of expertise that peer tutors may not have. They can provide in-depth explanations and offer specialized assistance in more complex or niche areas of study. This makes them particularly valuable for students tackling difficult subjects or seeking advanced academic support.
Personalized Learning Plans: Professional tutors often develop customized learning plans based on the individual needs of each student. They assess students' strengths and weaknesses, creating a tailored approach to help students meet their academic goals. This level of personalization is difficult to achieve with peer tutoring alone.
Consistency and Reliability: Professional class help services tend to offer a higher level of consistency and reliability. Professional tutors are typically available on a set schedule, and their sessions are structured to ensure that students stay on track with their academic progress.
Focused Assistance: Professional tutors can assist with a wide range of academic needs, from homework help to exam preparation, to long-term projects and academic writing. They are equipped with the resources and expertise to guide students through complex assignments and help them navigate challenges with confidence.
Why Combining Peer Tutoring and Professional Class Help Services is Effective
While both peer tutoring and professional class help services are valuable on their own, combining them offers an integrated, multifaceted approach to academic support. By drawing on the strengths of both methods, students can access a more comprehensive system of learning assistance that addresses various academic needs and learning styles.
Here are some reasons why nurs fpx 4000 assessment 2 combining peer tutoring and professional class help services can be especially beneficial for students:
Access to Multiple Learning Perspectives
Peer tutors and professional tutors each bring different perspectives to the table. Peer tutors are closer in age and experience to the student, which allows them to approach problems in a relatable way. They can often break down complex concepts into simpler, more digestible pieces, making learning feel more accessible. In contrast, professional tutors have a deeper and broader understanding of the subject matter, allowing them to provide advanced explanations and more in-depth support.
By combining both types of assistance, students can benefit from the strengths of each approach. Peer tutors can provide initial clarification and boost confidence, while professional tutors can help students dive deeper into the material and address more complex questions or problems.
Increased Flexibility and Support Options
When students have access to both peer tutoring and professional class help services, they have more flexibility in how they seek academic support. For example, students can use peer tutoring for quick, informal help with day-to-day questions and class material, while reserving professional tutoring sessions for more in-depth support, such as essay writing, exam preparation, or understanding complex concepts.
This combination allows students to tailor their academic support to fit their immediate needs, ensuring that they receive the right type of assistance at the right time. Whether it's a quick question, a deep dive into a difficult topic, or long-term tutoring for a semester-long project, students have multiple avenues to pursue.
Encouragement of Collaborative Learning
Combining peer tutoring with professional class help services encourages a culture of collaborative learning. Peer tutors are often students who have mastered the material themselves, and working with them allows for a more collaborative, student-driven approach to learning. This peer-to-peer interaction fosters communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to work through problems together.
On the other hand, professional class help services tend to be more formal, one-on-one interactions that provide expert guidance and support. Combining these two methods encourages students to take ownership of their learning while also benefiting from professional expertise. This blend of collaboration and expert guidance creates a balanced, effective learning environment.
Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility
Combining peer tutoring and professional class help services can also be cost-effective for students. While professional tutoring services can be expensive, peer tutoring programs are often free or low-cost, making them accessible to a broader range of students. By leveraging peer tutoring for less complex nurs fpx 4000 assessment 5 material and using professional help for specialized assistance, students can reduce the financial burden of academic support.
Additionally, peer tutoring programs are often available on campus, making them easily accessible for students, while professional services can be accessed online, providing flexibility in terms of location and schedule.
Reinforcement and Retention of Knowledge
Research has shown that teaching others is one of the most effective ways to reinforce one's own learning. Peer tutors reinforce their own understanding of the subject matter by explaining it to others, which can lead to deeper learning and retention. This creates a win-win situation: the peer tutor benefits from reinforcing their knowledge, while the tutee gains a clearer understanding of the material.
At the same time, professional tutors can help students approach complex problems from different angles, enhancing their understanding and helping them retain the information. Combining both peer and professional help ensures that students have multiple opportunities to engage with the material and solidify their knowledge.
How to Effectively Combine Peer Tutoring and Professional Class Help Services
To make the most of combining peer tutoring and professional class help services, students can follow these strategies:
Use Peer Tutoring for Initial Understanding
Start by using peer tutoring for an overview of the material. Peer tutors can break down difficult concepts into manageable pieces and answer immediate questions. This can help students get a basic understanding of the topic, so they feel more confident when working with a professional tutor later on.
Seek Professional Help for Advanced Topics
For more complex topics or areas that require a deeper understanding, turn to professional class help services. Professional tutors can provide expert guidance and advanced explanations, helping students tackle difficult material that peer tutors may not be able to address.
Integrate Both Types of Help for Ongoing Projects
For long-term assignments or projects, combine both peer tutoring and professional tutoring. Use peer tutors for brainstorming and general advice, and then turn to professional tutors for feedback, in-depth review, and polishing of your work.
Set Goals and Track Progress
To maximize the effectiveness of both services, set specific academic goals and track progress. Monitor how well the combination of peer and professional help is contributing to your learning and adjust as needed to ensure that you're getting the support you need at every stage.
Conclusion
Combining peer tutoring and nurs fpx 4005 assessment 3 professional class help services offers students a powerful, well-rounded approach to academic success. By leveraging the unique advantages of both methods, students can enhance their learning experiences, deepen their understanding of complex subjects, and achieve their academic goals. Peer tutoring provides valuable student-to-student support and encourages collaborative learning, while professional class help services offer expert guidance and specialized knowledge. Together, these resources create a comprehensive system of academic assistance that addresses students' diverse needs, ensuring they have the tools and support to excel in their studies.