4/24/2023

Can you guess what's inside the jar below?

Yes, it's apple juice. But what happens to the leftover residue from the apple after juicing?

Does it become kitchen waste?

No, these apple remnants have another purpose - they can be transformed into shoes and bags. This apple scrap is actually a misplaced "leather" material. The trend towards vegan leather, which refers to leather products that contain no animal ingredients or testing, is on the rise. Rather than using animal skins, there are now plant-based options available, such as grape, pineapple, and even mushroom leather. Mushroom leather, in particular, has seen significant developments in recent years, with major brands like Lululemon, Hermes, and Adidas introducing products made from mushroom mycelium.No, these apple remnants have another purpose - they can be transformed into shoes and bags.

This apple scrap is actually a misplaced "leather" material. The trend towards vegan leather, which refers to leather products that contain no animal ingredients or testing, is on the rise. Rather than using animal skins, there are now plant-based options available, such as grape, pineapple, and even mushroom leather. Mushroom leather, in particular, has seen significant developments in recent years, with major brands like Lululemon, Hermes, and Adidas introducing products made from mushroom mycelium.

Industrial scale apple juice production leaves a pulpy residue (formed of cellulose fibers) after the juice is extracted from the apples.

Certain brands convert the leftover apple cores and peels from European (mostly Italian) apple juice production into pulp. Which is then mixed with organic solvents and polyurethane and adhered to fabric to create a leather-like material.

Mushroom leather, which has gained popularity in recent years. Can be adjusted for qualities such as weight and texture by controlling mushroom growth. And the quick regrowth of mushrooms makes them an easier material to obtain than apple byproducts. However, the texture of mushroom leather can sometimes be different and not preferred by all designers.

As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Thus, it appears that apple byproducts, usually considered food waste. Could be utilized as a "leather" material if viewed through a different lens.