Brian Jeffrey
Challenges of an Old Tire Recycling Village in HCM City
On Lac Long Quan Street in District 11, HCM City, there is a narrow alley where old car tires have been stacked high. These worn-out tires are the raw materials utilized by workers in a tire recycling village that emerged after Vietnam was reunified on April 30, 1975.
Tran Van Tien, a 62-year-old local resident, recalls that during the early years post-Reunification, people faced significant financial struggles. They sought various ways to survive, leading to the creation of a business centered on transforming old tires into rubber sandals. However, as the demand for these sandals diminished due to their discomfort, attention shifted to producing pig troughs, bags, and various vehicle parts.
The onset of this craft led to many locals joining in, resulting in a vibrant village dedicated to recycling tires that provided jobs for hundreds of families. Some workers even achieved considerable wealth through this trade.
This community was known for its tire-cutting production, with the laborers referred to as “cutters.” Their job involved intense physical labor, as they used sharp knives to slice tires into various sizes, tailored for different products. The task required significant strength since tires could weigh between 40 to 100 kilograms.
The tough nature of the tires necessitated the use of very sharp blades, and it typically took a cutter up to half a day to process a single large tire. The high-risk nature of the work meant that accidents could occur with the slightest lapse in concentration, often resulting in cuts and scars on the workers’ hands.
While many cutters still rely on traditional methods passed down through generations, some have devised machines to alleviate their workload. In the past, these workers could earn around VND 400,000 to 500,000 daily. However, with a dip in demand for rubber products, their earnings have significantly decreased.
Currently, the craft village has dwindled, with only a few households actively engaged in tire recycling, as many have opted to pursue different ventures. One local explained that the strenuous nature of the work, coupled with conditions that expose workers to harmful rubber dust, has deterred many from staying in the trade.
Doan Van Thanh, aged 63, highlighted the physical toll of the job, noting that workers often suffer from musculoskeletal issues due to the repetitive and challenging nature of the work. With the marketplace for their products shrinking, many have found it unprofitable and have abandoned the craft altogether.
Younger generations now have access to better educational and job opportunities, making them less inclined to take over their parents’ workshops, which offer modest incomes. Only elder workers remain dedicated to this line of work.
Among a few surviving workshops, only one or two have the financial means to invest in machinery and diversify their product range.
