#43: Capturing a Different Side of Paris
Diverging from the often-idealized image of Paris, an early 1930s photograph offers a glimpse into the lives of the city’s rag collectors. The image captures a raw moment on a cobblestone street, featuring an elderly man and a young helper struggling to maneuver a loaded cart of rags. This scene beautifully illustrates the teamwork behind their daily grind.
These individuals were unsung sustainability heroes long before recycling became a global movement. Roaming Paris for unwanted textiles, their mission was more than cleaning up—their survival depended on repurposing or selling these materials. Their contribution reflects an early, vital effort towards recycling, underscoring their importance in the city’s environmental history.