A group of undergraduate students from the Netherlands have found a creative way to reclaim old fruit. 'Fruitleather Rotterdam' is a project that creates a leather-like material out of old or rotting fruit.
The inspiration for the project was to create a retail product, but the group of six decided to not only create a product, but to also tackle the problem of food waste. The team honed in on approaching vendors for fruits or vegetables that could no longer be sold -- typically old or bruised -- which otherwise would be thrown out.
The fruits gathered are put through a process of de-seeding, boiling (to remove bacteria and prevent spoiling), and are spread on a surface to dry. Once dry, the fruit-leather can be shaped and molded to produce products. The project began by producing bags, but are open to manufacturing more products. The team has recently been approached by a car seat company hoping to collaborate.
Rotting Fruit Purses
The 'Fruitleather Rotterdam' Project Makes Bags from Old Fruit
Trend Themes
1. Upcycled Materials - Creating leather-like material from old or rotting fruit presents an opportunity for businesses to utilize upcycled materials in their products.
2. Circular Economy - The Fruitleather Rotterdam project demonstrates the potential for reducing food waste by repurposing old or bruised fruits, offering a disruptive innovation opportunity to businesses looking to contribute to a circular economy.
3. Sustainable Fashion - By transforming old fruit into leather-like material, the Fruitleather Rotterdam project highlights the potential for sustainable fashion brands to incorporate alternative materials and reduce environmental impact.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The use of fruit leather material in bags and other fashion products can introduce a new and sustainable element in the fashion industry.
2. Automotive - The collaboration between Fruitleather Rotterdam and a car seat company suggests opportunities for incorporating fruit leather material in automotive interiors, offering a unique selling point for eco-conscious customers.
3. Food Waste Management - The process of creating fruit leather from old or rotting fruits presents an innovation opportunity for businesses and organizations involved in food waste management, enabling them to turn waste into valuable resources.