When thinking of karang guni, or karung guni , you're more than likely to think of the weathered uncles and aunties strolling through HDB corridors toting a horn and trolley.
He eventually learned that the skills and know-how he obtained at university were also helpful in the recycling industry.Earth Recycling ServicesWhat motivated him to strike out on his own was “breaking out of being stuck in the family business, in the sense that setting up my own company would help me grow and potentially reach out to more clients.
Speaking of days off, Peh added that while he enjoys the freedom that comes with his job, he and his family usually work daily – yes, including on weekends and most public holidays – from 9am to 7pm. “If we were to have days off, it would either be me taking a break while my dad must work or vice versa.”
“Some days would be hectic with, say, five lorries within the same period. Our shop’s actually small, so we can’t accommodate everyone at one time.” Some of the materials and items at the Pehs' store included computer motherboards, old-school irons and even a brass eagle statue. Clarifying that decluttering hoarders’ homes is part of the job in the recycling industry, he added: “This person hoarded so much so you’d see pests like cockroaches, but you get used to it. Sometimes, though, you see unexpected things like centipedes, or even a dead animal.”Peh went on to speak about how working with his parents has improved his bond with them: “I see them all the time, and I think that keeps us close as a family, which is in itself memorable for me.
He also shared one particularly discomfiting conversation with a customer who needed his services after closing her business. “She was chatting about new avenues with her husband and said something like ‘Oh, darling, we could .’It’s not easy to manage these conversations, but Peh has his way: “I approach it knowing that they’re not as informed about the industry and it’s up to me to decide if I want to educate them.
“I would encourage everyone to buy less stuff,” he said, gesturing toward how his work is tied to people’s relationships with both material goods and the environment. Peh explained that rather than an organised business network or karang guni community, there were more informal circles. “When I started at 21, I think it was harder to get my message across to customers. But over the years, I’ve taken on leadership roles, so they know my personality better.
As a freelance actor, he’s appeared in the web series Uncanny Valley, which he said was his “first official supporting role which lasted more than one episode”.