Food waste is a monumental problem on the domestic, commercial and worldwide scale -- outdoor markets in the Netherlands' Rotterdam alone throw out over three tons of waste every day!
A group of designers from Willem de Kooning Academie in Rotterdam have decided to tackle the problem by converting wasted vegetables and fruits into a type of leather. Using techniques that chefs use to create fruit treats, except on a larger scale, these designers are creating a leather-like material that can be used in various products.
The methods to make this fruit leather are being exhibited at the Lost and Found Pop-Up store in Rotterdam. By bringing visibility to this new process, they hope to excite and engage other designers, researchers, companies and government entities in the improvement and commercialization of this leather. At the same time, they are also raising awareness of the food waste issue.
Produce-Based Leather
The Willem de Kooning Academie Turns Food Waste Into Usable Fruit Leather
Trend Themes
1. Produce-based Leather - Designers are creating a leather-like material out of wasted vegetables and fruits.
2. Sustainable Fashion - The use of produce-based leather promotes sustainability in the fashion industry.
3. Circular Economy - Transforming food waste into produce-based leather is a step towards a circular economy model.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - Produce-based leather has potential to disrupt the leather industry.
2. Food and Beverage - Transforming food waste into produce-based leather can help reduce waste in the food industry.
3. Design and Innovation Consulting - The creation of produce-based leather presents a promising opportunity for design and innovation consulting firms to help bring the product to market.