A Scavenger’s Tale – Lima, Peru

It’s estimated that there are nearly 100,000 professional scavengers in Peru’s capital of Lima. While many of these individuals are straight up dumpster divers scraping by on five to ten dollars a day earned from their finds, the last ten years has seen a remarkable refinement in this ancient activity. A broader understanding of upcycling, pioneered by Brazil’s Campana Brothers, has led to a new crop of Peruvian artists and designers utilizing what there is simply far too much of: trash.

Krrb jumped into the fray during a recent visit to Lima and over the next two weeks we’ll be sharing some of our finds. Aided by Cristyane Marusiak—a partner in Cuatro En Un Baúl, a team of furniture finders and refurbishers of the highest order—we toured some of the city’s best kept secrets and the studios of many of Lima’s celebrated upcyclers. Here’s a quick sneak peak of things to come. Check back here often for detailed updates on this and many other scavengers’ tales. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to be clued in effortlessly. Till then, enjoy!