How a businessman makes money from used tires
Would you hold something worth at least $4000 and throw it away? Well, that is what many of us do, but a budding businessman of the Corentyne – Quacy Smartt refuses to do so. He is turning garbage into money.
Known as the “Plant Pot Man”, this entrepreneur who lives at Ulverston,
Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is doing one of the most responsible things that we can all do to help save our environment by recycling: he is recycling vehicular tires to make plant pots.
These fashionable designs have made him the envy of others who tried their hands at the same business. The difference is that Smartt uses his skill as an artist coupled with his determination to make a success out of the business.
It all started in 2014 when a friend sent a picture of a bin made out of used car tires.
“Me and my friend were chatting online and he was telling me how he see some stuff made out of tires and how they look good, so he send me a picture of them,” he explained.
“I have some friends like me, that like the things that are close to nature…”
The young man said he fell in love with the picture of the bins. He challenged himself to make one. However, bins were not something Smartt thought many persons in his community would like, so he tried to make plant pots and came up with the tea cup and saucer design; a design which viewers immediately took a liking for.
His first customer was his sister-in-law after she saw the first two pairs of tea cup
and saucer plant pots.
The budding businessman was able to rake in $15,000 from four tires which were waiting on the next garbage truck to be taken away to the dumpsite.
In 2015, the business kicked off; now the young man has his hands filled as he tries to keep up with his orders. He explained that most of the time is spent on designing the tires (plant pots and saucers).
The plant pots come in different designs: cars, ducks, birds and snakes. Smartt said that he could also make swings, birds and much more designs, reflective of a person who loves nature and is creative.
“Last year for the (Guyana) 50th anniversary, I gave a 50th design to the Youth, Sports and Culture Minister and I have had many requests for that design after that.”
Smartt is of the belief that just as he has been able to start a business by recycling tires, many who claim to be unemployed can do something similar.
“We all born with five senses; we could do so much. You just have to think higher all the time,” he said.
Smartt can be contacted on email address [email protected] or on 673-6215.
The entrepreneur said most of his orders are made via social media, particularly Facebook.
He says he has been doing deliveries all over Berbice.
