“Most don’t do the basics,” says the vegan waste collector known as Trash Barbie

Working as a waste collector for 14 years, Litz Gouvea produces content to raise awareness about sustainability

Litz Gouvea, 29, has worked as a recyclable waste collector since she was 15 and is known on social media as Trash Barbie.

In the video interview (look up), the waste management professional says she joined this business out of financial necessity. She began by accompanying her father, also a collector, on the street and, about a year later, began separating recyclable materials from a group of condominiums in the southern region of São Paulo (SP), where she remained for more than 10 years. years. years. .

“There was a drop in material prices and the value was very low. What we took from the condominium could no longer pay my and my father’s bills”, explains the tax collector, who has decided to work in other regions and on other projects.

Litz currently collects materials from the street, separates them in landfill and also works with two companies, Regera and Kombosa Seletiva. “In the audiovisual sector there have been ‘sustainable sets’. So I was hired to manage the waste from the shoot,” he explains. “Working with companies is a great opportunity to show people that every place needs this service.”

Social means

“I really like reading and I have always studied a lot on my own, but I wanted to better understand how things worked. So I took an environmental technical course to integrate the practical part, in which I already had a lot of experience,” says Litz.

After her studies, the collector felt the need to share her knowledge and promote her work on social media: “I went on Instagram and saw a lot of nonsense, gossip, a lot of useless stuff.”

Today he has more than 15 thousand followers, who follow his daily life as an environmentalist and his content on sustainability and veganism. Litz explains that she produces her posts with the purpose of teaching, inspiring and trying to improve people’s lives. “Most people don’t do the basic things, which is separating waste. The community must understand that small attitudes make the difference”, says the collector who also holds conferences on sustainability.

Veganism

“When I was six years old, I had a serious trauma. My father had a quail farm at home and I once saw him slaughter one. I was shocked,” she recalls that before this episode she was a “serelepe” child, but after that she lost her joy.

It was at school that Litz learned where meat, milk and eggs come from and, once again, she says she was “horrified” and lost the desire to eat animal products. At the age of 12 she decided to become vegan and since then she has only eaten vegetables, fruit, cereals and legumes.

“If I can do something in my situation, those in better situations can do it too,” he concludes.

Watch the video interview above.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.