Buying leather has always felt like a crime against nature, but a group of students from Netherlands are about to revolutionize its production.
Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam asked its students to conduct a flash retail event, and what started as a humble school assignment led to an innovation in bio-technology. A group of six students decided to also address the global issue of food-wastage in their project. In this unique project titled,”Fruitleather Rotterdam,” they created a process that could convert wasted fruit and vegetable leftovers into a leather-like material that could prove to be durable enough for use in bags and even car seats.
Extensive research conducted by the group revealed startling numbers owing to food wastage and disposal, that 3,500 kilos (over 7,700 pounds) of food were wasted and market owners were required to pay 12 cents a kilo to dispose of it, forcing many to resort to illegal disposal methods that consume less time and effort.
Inspired by the need for change, the group then collected waste from various vendors to create their material. Although the process has not been revealed, they ensure that the utmost care is taken to rid the fruit of any bacteria before converting it to Fruitleather.
Fruitleather Rotterdam insists its interests do not lie only in creating bags, but in perfecting their material so it could be utilized in various industries.
A look into attempts at making leather eco-friendly only reveals organic leather; processed without any chemicals, however still manufactured from animal hide. Fruitleather would be a first in promoting animal welfare while creating a socio-economic solution for leather users.
You can follow Fruitleather Rotterdam’s progress on its Facebook page.
