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How in the USSR, pioneers and adults collected waste paper, and the receptionists deceived them
How in the USSR, pioneers and adults collected waste paper, and the receptionists deceived them

Video: How in the USSR, pioneers and adults collected waste paper, and the receptionists deceived them

Video: How in the USSR, pioneers and adults collected waste paper, and the receptionists deceived them
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The collection of waste paper is remembered by those who went to school in the seventies and eighties of the 20th century. Forests at that time were sharply reduced, there was a shortage of paper, which led to the intensification of the collection and processing of secondary raw materials. The responsibility for this important process was assigned to the pioneers. In 1974, compulsory waste paper collection began, carried out twice a year. Read how schoolchildren collected paper, entered into agreements with retirees, and what dishonest methods were used by waste paper receivers.

How children were instructed to collect recycled paper

The main collectors of waste paper were schoolchildren
The main collectors of waste paper were schoolchildren

So, the task of collecting recycled paper was assigned by the country to schoolchildren. Children in bright red ties walked around the apartments, asking if there were unnecessary newspapers and magazines. They really wanted to save the trees. After all, it was declared everywhere that “I handed over the paper and saved the tree”. The process quickly gained momentum. Schools received their own recycling rates. Competitions were held between classes and schools, the purpose of which was to increase interest in the process. Of course, adults also participated in the collection of waste paper. However, their interest was explained, first of all, by the opportunity to buy hard-to-find books: for this it was necessary to hand over at least 20 kilograms of paper.

The effect was, and even what. At the end of the seventies, at least 2.1 million tons of waste paper were returned annually, which was 22% of all paper produced. A large number (about 90%) of the population received back, in the form of packaging for goods. In those days, plastic bags were in short supply.

How schools of pioneers stimulated, and children signed contracts with retirees

The pioneers made arrangements with pensioners to save unnecessary newspapers and magazines for them
The pioneers made arrangements with pensioners to save unnecessary newspapers and magazines for them

Propaganda in the USSR worked well. The children firmly believed that 20 kilograms of waste paper would protect a medium-sized tree from death. Therefore, twice a year, in the courtyards of schools, real dumps were formed from unnecessary paper products - magazines and newspapers, notebooks and books were brought here. School principals tried to stimulate the pioneers by encouraging the winners. Most often, bus tours were offered as prizes. The children were also interested in winning. The young pioneers used various methods of collecting waste paper. For example, they entered into oral agreements with retirees living in nearby houses. The point was that the old people would keep old newspapers, magazines, and other paper for them in exchange for help with the housework.

Sometimes it got to the point of absurdity. In an effort to win first place in the collection of waste paper, some students used their parents' lovingly collected libraries. There were cases when, not keeping track of the child, parents were deprived of rare books. And it was even sadder if, along with the book, the "stash" flew away from home, which was often hidden between the pages. Schools received money for the collected waste paper, prices could reach 20 kopecks per 1 kilogram. The funds received were usually spent on household items, the purchase of office supplies, and so on. Oddly enough, it was very important (and not so easy) to deliver the waste paper to the collection point on time and hand it over there for money.

Fraud with waste paper: no rollback - nowhere

Often, waste paper inspectors demanded kickbacks from teachers
Often, waste paper inspectors demanded kickbacks from teachers

It turns out that trouble could lie in wait for the representative of the school directly at the point of reception of secondary raw materials. Some dishonest waste paper acceptors refused to take the paper until the person agreed to fix the weight less than in reality. The difference, expressed in rubles, went into the pocket of the swindler.

Problems associated with the removal of recyclable materials were in wait for rural schools or educational institutions located far from collection points. There were cases when the collected waste paper was simply burned, because the school leadership could not get a car to take it out. Sadly, this happened.

I passed 20 kilograms - I read Dumas

Having handed over 20 kilograms of waste paper, one could get a coupon for the purchase of a hard-to-find book
Having handed over 20 kilograms of waste paper, one could get a coupon for the purchase of a hard-to-find book

The pioneers were pioneers, but the state wanted to interest adults as well. They succeeded. In 1974 there was not yet such an abundance of books as today. High-quality fiction, especially from foreign writers, was almost impossible to get. But the socio-political brochures and volumes of the classics of Marxism-Leninism were bored in the shops. It was decided to organize a profitable exchange: for 20 kilograms of waste paper they gave a special voucher, which could be presented in the store and buy the coveted books by Conan Doyle, Dumas, Jack London, Jules Verne and Main Reid.

They speculated in coupons, selling them from hands for five rubles. However, the citizens were not as simple as the state thought. Not every adult wanted to spend his time and energy collecting waste paper, becoming like the pioneers with their glowing eyes and children's perception of life. People just came to the bookstore and bought propaganda literature, which in those days was just a sea. Even troubles did not frighten fans of foreign novels. Therefore, if a person bought several dozen volumes of Lenin, Marx or materials of the congresses of the CPSU, then one could suspect him of fraud with waste paper. It happened that the receivers of recyclable materials reported such cases to law enforcement agencies.

However, things went on. In 1975, approximately 4 million books were produced specifically for exchange for junk coupons. They only took 2,000 tons of paper. And at least 60,000 tons of waste paper was collected. After several cases of handing over the works of the classics of Marxism-Leninism to the reception center, the KGB began to monitor such things. People tried to cheat, for example, they tore off covers, cut books and brochures into small pieces, and sprayed them with ink. Yes, it was difficult with ideology. But economically, collecting paper was a very profitable event.

A lot of useful things can be done from waste paper. AND even an old dictionary dress from Jodie Phillips.

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