How did the role of rag-and-bone men change over time?
Frequently Asked Question about the extinct profession: Rag-and-Bone Man
Rag-and-bone men, once vital in urban recycling, collected discarded items for resale, contributing to waste management in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As industrialization progressed and formal waste disposal systems emerged, their role diminished. By the late 20th century, environmental awareness revived interest in recycling, but the traditional rag-and-bone trade largely faded, replaced by organized recycling programs.