When most people think of a mango, it's probably more in the form of a smoothie.
However, a company from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, has transformed the delicious fruit into a leather-like material.
Collecting the mangoes that would otherwise be thrown away, a Dutch company is reducing food waste and making the leather industry more environmentally friendly.
To the question why the industry should go for a vegan leather, the answer is simple. Real leather is more than just a waste product in the meat industry. The animals that live there in poor factory farming suffer and are killed. In addition, the tanning process is extremely harmful to the environment. Probably the only advantage of real leather is its durability and high breathability.
In order to do without animal products, vegan leather is increasingly being used. Vegan leather uses neither animal skins as raw material nor animal bones as adhesives. However, vegan leather can be harmful to humans and the environment, as the products are not biodegradable and substances that are harmful to the environment and health are used in the production process. Practically, vegan leather is easy to care for and waterproof. For soft surfaces, wait until the dirt has dried. Then brush it off gently. If stubborn stains have appeared on the bag, they can be removed with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Let us now turn to the company that makes handbags from the discarded mangoes. Verderwerk from Rotterdam reduces food waste, is 100% vegan and raises food awareness. First, the mangoes have to be sourced, pitted and blended.
Then they are mixed with a unique recipe from the founder. The surface is smoothed, dried and upgraded.
Compared to other bag manufacturers, the bags are relatively expensive. The Flap Classic Mango Turtle Natural is listed on the website at 90€. This bag is made of a high-quality mango leather on the outside combined with a fine cactus leather on the inside.
The company Vederwerk mainly produces bags. The topic of sustainability is also important to this company. In the production of this vegan leather, up to 90% less water is needed compared to real leather and significantly fewer emissions are emitted. In order to complete this process, the company pays attention to environmentally friendly packaging that is plastic-free. The finished bags made from the mangoes are packed exclusively in Biobiene cardboard boxes with a designated environmental seal. The cardboard boxes are biodegradable and compostable. The company also ensures climate-neutral shipping with DHL GoGreen.