Unusual Jobs: Exploring 10 Vanished Professions from History

7. Rag-and-Bone Man: Collecting Treasures in Trash

The rag-and-bone man was a figure familiar in many communities, particularly in times of extreme poverty. These individuals scoured neighborhoods, collecting unwanted household items that they could later sell to merchants. Their haul typically included scraps of clothing, paper (which could be transformed into cardboard), and broken glass (meltable and repurposable). Carrying these items in small bags slung over their shoulders, rag-and-bone men provided a valuable service by recycling and reusing discarded goods. While this occupation is no longer common, it still exists in some regions of the world, albeit transformed to suit modern waste management needs.

September 10, 2023 | 5:07 pm