This Might Just Work
The plan was foolproof. Get paid for collecting, recycling, and reusing the cans. This 12-year-old’s idea had a simple premise, but had the potential to make her a millionaire.
Her theory was put into practice, and soon the cash started flowing. She was unaware that she was being watched closely.
A Smart Little One
It’s hard to believe that a seventh grader thought up such an elaborate plan. The whole thing sounded absurd at first.
After reading the fine print, things started to make sense. It was a big idea for a twelve-year-old. Her door was knocked on by the authorities with handcuffs prepared less than a year later.
Big Family
As far as Pasadena residents were concerned, the Breytons were like any other family. Their modest house was on the edge of the cul de sac, and they had four children between 17 and 12 years old.
James, their father, was always proud. A boy from the streets of Boyle Heights, he was constantly threatened with being dragged under by life. A good life had been built for him through ambition and hard work, including marrying the love of his life and starting a family.
The Whole Bunch
His four children included Mary, the firstborn, Kyle, the second, and twins Atlan and Kristy, both twelve years old. Despite James’ insistence that he did not have any favorites among his children, Kristy was clearly his favorite.
He and Kristy gravitated toward each other, which was obvious to those who knew them.
Just Like Her Dad
Kristy is the one who took after James the most out of James’ four beautiful children. Despite still being a child, she had demonstrated time and time again that she was resourceful and driven.
This same drive and focus had driven her father to Pasadena from Boyle Heights. The family ended up with a whopping $7.6 million from recycling – who would’ve thought?
Time To Clean
One Saturday morning, Kristy noticed how dirty their kitchen was. The eldest siblings, Mary and Kyle, and her mom, Elsie, were busy cleaning up.
Atlan and Kristy frequently took out garbage from three trash bins that were filled with garbage. As they dragged one of the bins out, Atlan observed: “This is a lot of garbage.” What his twin was thinking was beyond him.
So Many Bags
“Yes,” Kristy replied calmly. It puzzled her why her mom and elder siblings separated the trash rather than putting them all in one bin. As a result, she and Atlan would not have needed to take multiple trips.
“Mary and Kyle are separating trash because some is to be recycled,” he said, causing her brother to chuckle. Kristy was sparked by that alone.
Taking Note In Her Mind
Recycling was nothing new to Kristy. However, she hadn’t really seen it in this light before. Her attention was drawn to plastic bottles and aluminium cans after she and her twin were dragging bins full of them.
On that night, she spent three hours reading everything she could about recycling. Her discovery surprised her.
Starting To Read Up More
Several areas of the ocean, twice as large as Texas, are filled with trash. The burning of waste was also destroying the environment. Across the globe, rivers, lakes, and vast swaths of land are being polluted every day.
Recycling was one of the most effective ways to reduce these adverse effects. This was not the only discovery the twelve-year-old made.
Asking Her Sister
In Kristy’s state, recycling can be used to make money. It was initially difficult for her young mind to comprehend the process.
Even so, she called her elder sister and asked a few questions. Mary was surprised by her sister’s newfound interest in recycling, but she was quick to explain exactly how it worked.
California Redemption Value
When someone buys a plastic or aluminium bottle in California, they must settle an extra 5 to 10 cents in California Redemption Value. The consumer can get this money back by returning these items to a recycling centre anywhere in the state.
Kristy listened carefully, nodding her head each time her big sister repeated a word or had to explain the concept again. By the end of her research, the twelve-year-old had half of what she’d need to start her money-making empire.
The Math
Kristy couldn’t sleep that night. She thought about all the recyclable items that usually left her home every Saturday morning. If a single can or bottle guaranteed her between five to ten cents, she’d only need about twenty of them to make a dollar.
While that amount might not seem like a lot, it was a fortune for a twelve-year-old like Kristy. She almost screamed excitedly, thinking about how she’d spend all that cash.
Waking Up Early
Kristy woke up at 4 a.m. the following day for the first time in her young life. She hurried to the family computer to continue with her research. She’d already made a mental list of what she’d buy with her recycling money.
She wanted a few dresses and dolls for herself, a video game or two for Kyle and Atlan, and a makeup kit for Mary. She wanted to take her mom and dad for a picnic and show them that she could pay for stuff, too. She had no clue what she was about to stumble upon.
What To Buy
Kristy’s mind was racing with ideas of what to buy. But she had to get her operation underway first. The best way to do this would be to convince either Kyle or Mary to drive her around Pasadena while she visits the different recycling centers.
By 9 a.m., she, Kyle, and Mary were visiting recycling centers all over the city. A tourist cum researcher, little Kristy, was asking question after question. She’d do everything to make a successful business.
Reconnaissance
Each recycling centre worker was kind enough to let Kristy experience the processes found in the centres. From sorting and packing to transporting, they explained how everything worked.
They even discussed how Kristy could make a few bucks by bringing recyclable material to these centers. “Oh, you’ll see a lot of me in the coming weeks,” Kristy whispered with a sinister smile.
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