Dust Yards

Dust from the capitals coal fires, the white ash and cinders, were collected and conveyed to dust contractors, where it was piled up into heaps waiting to be sifted. This was a filthy job. The dust was used for various agricultural and building purposes.

The dust yards were often close to and amongst the poorer houses of Shadwell, Ratcliffe, Limehouse, Poplar and Blackwall.

Charles Dickens, in his book 'Our Mutual Friend', describes the dustheaps of London.