Everything you need to know about recycled apple leather

 By Ellie Peach

LaBante's new collection of trainers are made from primarily recycled Apple skin leather. They are a beautiful combination of style and practicality while being completely environmentally friendly. In fact, they are so advantageous to the planet (in addition to the ten trees planted with each order) your carbon footprint is actually reduced by purchasing a pair. 

So what is apple skin leather?

Apple skin leather is a great natural alternative to animal hide leather. It is durable and breathable while also being hypoallergenic and UV resistant. But the most important thing about it is; it is entirely sustainable and ethical.

How is it made?

Manufacturing the leather involves dehydrating the apple waste and turning it into powder. The powder is then mixed with natural ingredients and a binder and spread onto a sheet until it naturally becomes a flexible leather material. Finally, it is mixed with polyurethane to create more durability and become PETA approved vegan leather.

Why is it good for the environment?

We source the apples from Tyrol, a region in Italy with a sizable juicing industry and a bountiful harvest of fruit for our new range of products, Apple Leather Shoes. Naturally, this industry created a lot of waste products, and the pulp, skin and core were often discarded, having no other usage. This is not the case anymore. We can now make vegan leather by recovering this waste product and transforming it into a sustainable material combined with other recycled fabrics to produce a textured fabric that looks and feels like genuine leather. Whats more, the few virgin materials used means fewer natural resources are extracted from the planet, creating lower emissions and lower energy consumption across the entire production.

Our new collection

LaBante's new line of unisex shoes are primarily made from this apple skin leather, the laces are made from recycled plastic bottles, and the sole is made from a recyclable plant-based rubber. Thus, making the entire shoe not only vegan and sustainable but breathable and comfortable for your feet. The sustainability message embroidered onto the back of the shoe showcases your commitment to the environment, and LaBante will plant ten trees for each purchase making the purchase itself carbon-negative- a fab step in the right direction for sustainable consumerism! 

Head over to the website's bespoke page for more information and preorder your new apple leather shoes in Black, White and Nude!

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