Sad City Classic: Meet The King of Recycle

(Originally posted by Jumper August 16, 2010)

He's filthy. He's got gigantic 1980's serial killer glasses. His hooded sweatshirt wraps around his hairy, sinewy torso like a ghetto variation of the classic "sweater over the shoulders" look. He is King of Recycle.

You might have seen him stalking the garbage cans of the West End. Or maybe you noticed him dumpster diving in Asylum Hill.

We've been watching him for years, but finally worked up the nerve to ask him for an interview earlier this week. It was an enlightening experience. Video after the jump.


Contrary to what one might expect, King of Recycle doesn't spends his days skip-raiding for any sort of monetary gain. Although he collects more than 50,000 cans and bottles each year, King of Recycle is motivated by an overwhelming compulsion to see certain items recycled.

While some may write him off as a creepy whack job who frightens children, we completely disagree. We see King of Recycle as a hero. Few people are doing more for recycling within the City of Hartford than King.

So next time you think about throwing out that cereal box or soda bottle, recycle it. If you throw it away, you are making the King of Recycle weep like the Indian from that old 1970's public service announcement. And the next time you see the King of Recycle, say hello. He's a nice guy.