Every week, Sylvie D’Aoust drives a loop through western Quebec, loading her white pickup truck with discarded appliances and electronics left by the curb. To most, it’s trash. To her, it’s a goldmine—and a mission. Known as the Recycling Warrior Grl, D’Aoust is making a name for herself by turning scrap into cash while reducing landfill waste.
D’Aoust, who likens her nickname to Wonder Woman, wears gloves and coveralls as she dives into dumpsters and rummages through bins outside thrift stores that allow salvaging unsold or broken goods. “There’s no hesitation,” she said. “It’s one of those things I just felt passionate about.”
It’s been less than a year since she started collecting scrap metal, but D’Aoust is already making a noticeable impact. Her first collection came from her own property in Chelsea, where she cleared out a decade’s worth of renovation waste, and later helped a widowed neighbor. Her efforts led to a paid pick-up service across the region, where clients can schedule appliance removal for a fee—especially helpful following changes to local waste collection.
D’Aoust meticulously sorts metals using magnets and separates valuable copper cords. Her online platform states she has the right to reuse or sell collected items. Some parts end up in her eBay store, especially rare cables and components from discarded electronics.
Once her truck is full, D’Aoust heads to AIM Recyclage Gatineau or Metro Scrap Metal in Ottawa, where she’s become a favorite for her sustainable efforts. On one recent haul, she earned $120—just enough to cover fuel costs.
She’s now expanding to property clean-ups and has set up a scrap metal drop-off at her home, continuing her mission to clean up the planet, one appliance at a time.
Source: Swifteradio.com
