ragpicker
/ˈræɡˌpɪkər/
noun
- A person who collects and sells rags, old clothes, and other discarded items for a living.
- In the 19th century, ragpickers were common in many European cities.
- The ragpicker sorted through piles of fabric to find usable pieces.
- The old ragpicker knew exactly which scraps were worth selling.
- Someone who gathers or salvages waste materials, especially for recycling or resale.
- Modern ragpickers often collect cardboard and plastic from recycling bins.
- Many ragpickers in the city work informally, collecting recyclables.
- The documentary followed a ragpicker who made a living from trash.