Dorjee Palden, Scrap Collector & Dealer

Dorjee Palden is perhaps the first Tibetan entrepreneur in India to operate a scrap collection business, which has long been dominated by Indians even in the heavily Tibetan populated settlements and monasteries. Palden's company collects newspapers, plastics, cardboard, plastic, milk bags, metal scrap, and old electronic equipment and appliances, which the company then separates and sells to local scrap dealers. He says that although the business has many challenges, he is able to keep his spirits high due to the support and encouragement he receives from the elders and others in his community.