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.”
Exploring the Role of Nurses in Sports Medicine and Athlete Wellness
Introduction
Sports medicine has long been NURS FPX associated with physicians, athletic trainers, and physical therapists. However, a vital yet sometimes underappreciated role within this interdisciplinary team is that of the nurse. Nurses specializing in sports medicine bring a holistic and patient-centered approach to the care of athletes. Their expertise spans injury prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, mental health support, and overall wellness promotion.
In an era where the physical and mental demands on athletes are higher than ever—whether at the amateur, collegiate, professional, or Olympic level—nurses are uniquely positioned to address the multifaceted needs of these individuals. By leveraging their comprehensive training in health assessment, patient education, chronic disease management, and mental health, nurses in sports medicine ensure that athletes perform at their best while minimizing the risk of injury and burnout.
This article explores the expanding role of nurses in sports medicine and athlete wellness, outlining their key responsibilities, contributions, and the impact they have on athletic performance and health outcomes.
The Evolving Landscape of Sports Medicine
Traditionally, sports medicine focused primarily on treating injuries once they occurred. However, the field has evolved to emphasize prevention, performance optimization, and the integration of mental, physical, and emotional health. This shift aligns perfectly with the nursing philosophy of holistic, preventive care.
As the science of athletic performance advances, so too does the need for a broader, more coordinated team approach. Sports medicine now encompasses specialties like nutrition, psychology, cardiology, and orthopedics—all areas where nurses contribute their knowledge and care coordination skills. Whether working in hospitals, sports clinics, universities, professional teams, or community organizations, nurses are becoming indispensable members of the sports medicine team.
Key Roles of Nurses in Sports Medicine and Athlete Wellness
Injury Prevention and Health Promotion
One of the primary roles of nurses in sports medicine is to promote health and prevent injuries. This includes conducting pre-participation physical examinations, assessing risk factors, and designing health education programs tailored to the athlete's age, sport, and competition level.
Nurses educate athletes about MSN Writing Services proper hydration, nutrition, conditioning techniques, and the importance of rest and recovery. They may also implement injury prevention strategies, such as teaching stretching routines, advising on the use of protective gear, and promoting awareness about overuse injuries.
By focusing on education and proactive measures, nurses help reduce the incidence of common sports injuries like sprains, strains, stress fractures, and concussions.
Acute Injury Management and Emergency Care
Nurses working on the sidelines or in sports medicine clinics are often the first to respond when an athlete sustains an injury. They provide immediate assessment and stabilization, utilizing skills such as wound care, splinting fractures, and managing concussions.
In emergency situations, nurses play a critical role in activating emergency action plans (EAPs), communicating with emergency medical services (EMS), and ensuring the athlete receives prompt and appropriate care. Their ability to assess vital signs, recognize life-threatening conditions, and provide immediate interventions can make a significant difference in outcomes.
Moreover, nurses are instrumental in post-injury monitoring, ensuring that athletes receive necessary follow-up care and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation and Recovery Support
Rehabilitation is a crucial phase following an athletic injury, and nurses are essential members of the rehab team. Working alongside physical therapists and physicians, nurses monitor the athlete’s recovery process, manage pain, provide wound care, and educate athletes about proper home exercises.
Nurses ensure adherence to rehabilitation protocols, track progress, and recognize signs of complications, such as infection or improper healing. Their holistic view allows them to address not just the physical aspects of recovery, but also the psychological challenges athletes face during this period, such as frustration, anxiety, and depression.
Additionally, nurses play a role in facilitating gradual return-to-play programs, ensuring that athletes do not resume activity too soon, which could risk re-injury.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellness
Athletes often face significant mental health challenges, including performance anxiety, depression, burnout, and body image concerns. Nurses, with their training in mental health and therapeutic communication, are ideally suited to recognize early warning signs and provide initial support.
They offer a safe, confidential space for athletes to discuss emotional struggles, help destigmatize mental health care, and connect individuals with specialized mental health professionals when necessary.
By integrating mental health nurs fpx 4000 assessment 4 support into overall wellness programs, nurses contribute to a more resilient, balanced athlete, capable of coping with the stresses of competition and everyday life.
Nutrition and Wellness Counseling
Optimal performance depends on proper nutrition and overall wellness. Nurses in sports medicine settings frequently collaborate with dietitians to educate athletes on nutrition for energy, recovery, and injury prevention.
They offer guidance on hydration strategies, the role of macronutrients and micronutrients, and the dangers of disordered eating or the misuse of supplements. In cases where athletes have special dietary needs (such as managing diabetes or celiac disease), nurses help tailor nutrition plans to ensure health and peak performance.
Moreover, they advocate for balanced lifestyles, emphasizing sleep hygiene, stress management, and healthy habits that contribute to long-term athletic and personal success.
Chronic Disease Management in Athletes
Athletes are not immune to chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or cardiac abnormalities. Nurses assess, monitor, and manage these conditions, developing individualized care plans that allow athletes to safely participate in sports.
For instance, nurses educate athletes with asthma about inhaler use and triggers, or work with diabetic athletes on blood glucose monitoring before and after exercise. They collaborate closely with team physicians and specialists to adjust medical management based on athletic demands.
By addressing these conditions proactively, nurses help athletes achieve their goals while maintaining health and safety.
Health Advocacy and Policy Development
Nurses also serve as advocates for athlete health at the organizational and policy levels. They may contribute to the development of concussion management protocols, emergency action plans, or guidelines for safe participation in extreme weather conditions.
Additionally, they play a role in promoting safe sporting environments, advocating for adequate rest periods, proper equipment use, and the implementation of health screenings for sudden cardiac death prevention.
Through research and evidence-based practice initiatives, nurses help drive improvements in athlete safety and wellness standards.
Settings Where Nurses Work in Sports Medicine
Nurses specializing in sports medicine can be found in a variety of settings:
Schools and Universities: Working nurs fpx 4015 assessment 3 with student-athletes to promote health, prevent injuries, and manage acute and chronic conditions.
Professional Sports Teams: Assisting team physicians, providing injury care, and promoting peak performance among elite athletes.
Rehabilitation Centers: Supporting recovery after sports injuries through physical therapy collaboration.
Community Health Organizations: Implementing injury prevention programs for recreational athletes and young sports participants.
Military and Tactical Settings: Caring for the unique needs of tactical athletes, including military personnel and first responders.
Regardless of the setting, nurses bring critical skills in health assessment, patient education, emotional support, and care coordination.
The Unique Skills and Qualities of Sports Medicine Nurses
Nurses who excel in sports medicine share several key qualities:
Strong Assessment Skills: Ability to quickly and accurately assess injuries and illnesses.
Physical Endurance: Working with athletes often requires being active and present during practices and competitions.
Excellent Communication: Effective interactions with athletes, coaches, physicians, and families are essential.
Passion for Athletics and Wellness: A genuine interest in sports, fitness, and preventive care fuels their success.
Commitment to Continuing Education: Staying up-to-date on sports science, rehabilitation techniques, and emerging health trends.
Additional certifications, such as Certified Sports Nurse (CSN) or advanced practice degrees in sports medicine nursing, can enhance a nurse’s expertise and career opportunities in this field.
Challenges Faced by Nurses in Sports Medicine
While the role of nurses in sports medicine is rewarding, it also comes with challenges:
High-Pressure Environments: Working during competitions can be stressful, requiring quick decision-making.
Irregular Hours: Sports events often occur on evenings and weekends, leading to nontraditional work schedules.
Limited Recognition: The contributions of nurses in sports medicine are sometimes overshadowed by other professionals, necessitating ongoing advocacy for the nursing role.
Complex Ethical Issues: Balancing the desire for athletes to compete with the need to prioritize long-term health can present ethical dilemmas.
Despite these challenges, the impact nurses have on athlete wellness and safety continues to grow.
Conclusion
Nurses in sports medicine and nurs fpx 4035 assessment 1 athlete wellness bring a vital, holistic perspective to the care of athletes at all levels. Through injury prevention, acute care, rehabilitation support, mental health advocacy, nutrition counseling, and chronic disease management, nurses help athletes perform at their best while maintaining overall health.
As the field of sports medicine continues to evolve, the role of nurses will become even more critical. By combining clinical expertise with compassionate, patient-centered care, nurses are not just supporting athletes—they are shaping the future of sports medicine itself.
Their contributions underscore the essence of modern healthcare: treating the whole person, empowering them to achieve their full potential, and promoting lifelong wellness both on and off the field.