How do you deal with garbage in your house? Put it all into a giant can and wait for collectors to deal with it, or do you sort recyclable trash into a different one?

Well, in China, there are usually two types of trash cans: recyclable or not.

Two types of trash cans typically seen in China. /VCG Photo

But it's never easy to know what should go in which trash can. For example, putting dead batteries in a normal trash may cause environmental problems, like contaminating landfill.

What's more, even if you carefully separate your trash according to recyclable and non-recyclable, garbage collectors may just mix everything together again during transportation.

That's why China in March issued a more detailed plan for processing garbage. Major cities will have to develop more efficient recycling systems for everyday trash before 2020.

According to the plan, trash is classified into three types: recyclable, hazardous and perishable. Cities under the plan will create mechanisms to process each type of waste accordingly.

Trash collection in China. /VCG Photo

It sounds like a solid plan. But in fact, another under-the-radar system has been in operation in urban areas for years.

A large number of waste collectors in China do not work for any company. They work as individuals, buying garbage from families, sorting it and eventually making money by selling the trash on to factories that treat the garbage as production materials.

Yes, recycling in China is a profitable business.

Some college graduates have even established their own recycling companies. /VCG Photo‍

The profit lies in the sorting process, when collectors dive into piles of things we have discarded and pick out items that still have a value.

These collectors are China's actual experts on garbage, as they know what to sell, and more importantly, where to sell.

But despite their knowledge and expertise, life is tough for most of these garbage collectors.

Dealing with trash is considered a dirty job by many people, and while garbage collectors work hard to make money, their incomes remain very low.

Lots of collectors can't afford good quality transportation. /VCG Photo

In fact, these collectors are sometimes treated as being at the bottom of society, largely ignored by urban residents despite being a constant presence on nearly every street.

So here's the deal: is it possible for cities to hire these individual collectors under the new nationwide plan? These collectors are knowledgeable and good at their jobs, and with government support, their livelihoods would be improved.

These people's talents should not go to waste. With greater recognition, they can play a greater role in society.