MCM College: “Behind the Cardborad – Macao’s Recycling Industry and Poverty” Series
滿珍紀念書院:「紙皮背後:澳門回收業與貧窮」系列活動

Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau held a series of activities titled “Behind the Cardboard: Macao’s Recycling Industry and Poverty” on 14th and 21st January 2026, including a talk on “Macao’s Recycling Industry and Poverty” and an experiential learning activity, the “Cardboard Recycling Experience.” The aim of the event was to guide participants, through both knowledge sharing and experiential learning, to understand local environmental and poverty-related issues, and to reflect on the roles and responsibilities of global citizens in promoting equality and sustainable development.
The event specially invited instructors from Oxfam Macau to deliver the talk and lead the activities. They offered in-depth and concrete sharing on the recycling industry in Macao and other regions, sustainable development policies, and the work and life stories of waste pickers. Through the talk and the experience, participants gained a clearer understanding of the often-overlooked connections between resource waste, environmental problems, and poverty. During the “Cardboard Recycling Experience,” the instructor guided participants into the daily reality of waste pickers: pushing heavy cardboard carts, visiting shops one by one to ask for recyclable paper, learning how to sort and organize cardboard, and personally experiencing the stares and challenges that waste pickers often face in their work. These real-life experiences allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships and contributions of waste pickers.
In the subsequent reflection and discussion session, participants shared their feelings and reflected on how society views different occupations, as well as the indispensable role that each profession plays in the functioning of a city. The activity also inspired participants to consider how to practice sustainable development in daily life and to promote positive environmental and social change through individual actions. Below are some of the participants’ reflections:
“This talk and experience deeply moved me. Behind the unremarkable cardboard lies the daily struggle of many people trying to make a living. After pushing the cart and asking from door to door, I realized that environmental protection is not just a slogan—it is closely tied to social fairness and dignity.” — Zhao Siyi
“I deeply realized the importance of environmental protection and social responsibility. The stories of waste pickers made me reflect on resource wastage and the shortcomings of the recycling system. It also motivates me to participate more actively in environmental actions, hoping to encourage more people to value recycling and work together to build a sustainable city.” — Basil Chang
“The talk helped me understand the importance of recycling, and that the harm caused by waste is far beyond what we imagine. During the experiential activity, I truly felt the hardship of waste pickers. When they are busiest, they may need to push more than ten loads of cardboard to recycling stations a day, leaving them exhausted. The life of a waste picker is really not easy!” — Ginny Zhuo















澳門大學滿珍紀念書院於 2026 年 1 月 14 日及 21 日舉辦「紙皮背後:澳門回收業與貧窮」系列活動,包括「澳門回收業與貧窮」專題講座以及「紙皮回收體驗」活動。活動旨在透過知識講解與身體力行的體驗,引導參加者了解本澳的環境與貧窮議題,並思考作為世界公民在推動平等及可持續發展方面的角色與責任。
是次活動特別邀請澳門樂施會導師主講及帶領,從本澳及其他地區的回收產業狀況、可持續發展政策、到拾荒者的工作與生活故事,作深入而具體的分享。參加者透過講座及實踐,能更清晰地理解被忽視的資源浪費、環境問題與貧窮之間的連結。在「紙皮回收體驗」中,導師帶領參加者走進拾荒者的日常:推動沉重的紙皮車、逐家逐戶向店舖詢問是否有廢紙回收、學習整理與分類紙皮,以及親身感受拾荒者在工作中常面對的目光與挑戰。這些真實的體驗讓參加者對拾荒者的處境與貢獻有了更深一層的理解。
隨後的回顧與討論環節中,參加者分享了自身感受,並反思社會如何看待不同職業,以及每個職業在城市運作中不可或缺的重要性。活動亦啟發參加者思考日常生活如何實踐可持續發展,從個人行動出發,推動環境與社會的正面改變。以下為部分參加者的分享:
「這次講座和體驗讓我深受感觸。不起眼的紙皮背後,是許多人為生計奔波的日常。推著紙皮車挨家挨戶詢問後,我意識到環保不僅是口號,更關乎社會公平與尊嚴。」— 趙思懿
「我深刻體會到環保與社會責任的重要。拾荒者的故事讓我反思資源浪費與回收制度的不足,也促使我日後更積極參與環保行動,希望能影響更多人重視循環利用,共同建設可持續城市。」— 張子沂
「講座讓我了解到回收的重要性,以及垃圾造成的危害遠超想像。在體驗活動中,我深切感受到拾荒者的艱辛。他們最忙的時候,一天要推十多車紙皮去回收,累得筋疲力盡。拾荒者的生活真的很不容易!」— 卓智茵











