In China, we call these people as "the one who pick garbage" or "king of the garbage", the latter one comes from a TV show in 80s. None of these terms are meant

In China, we call these people as "the one who pick garbage" or "king of the garbage", the latter one comes from a TV show in 80s. None of these terms are meant to be an insult, just plain description for what they do, but they are. In China, since the low developed well-being system, the elder ones do it since it is the only way they can earn some income to feed themselves. And yes, some of them have lots of deposits, ye, but that comes from saving from low quality life. The Chinese always chase for something pragmatic, which in China, which they can earn some money from. In this news, I do believe some of them may do it since a boring life. But if there is no economy benefit, I don't believe they will do this kind of bottle collecting thing. And ye, it is not because they love money, just a self-protection habit from their motherland.