

Cocoa waste is a sweet deal for farmers.
And pineapple plant leaves could prove just as useful. A startup in London has combined with farmers in the Philippines to use the plant’s leaf fibres to create an alternative to leather.
First the fibres are extracted from the leaves – with remaining waste used as fertiliser or as basis for biofuels. Once clean and dry, the fibres are mixed with corn starch-based polymer and mechanically worked into rolls of felt.
After further refinement the leather-like material can be used for clothing, accessories or furniture and car upholstery. Research for recycling is underway to create a circular economy.
Flower waste and bacterial nanocellulose can also be used to make vegan alternatives.Â