The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that an estimated one-third of all food produced globally is wasted. But the textile industry, which accounts for his 6.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is finding a role to play in efforts to reduce food waste, according to research by Quantis International.
Some companies like Circular Systems produce natural fibers made from organic waste to reduce the company’s impact on the environment. Isaac Nichelson, co-founder and CEO of Circular Systems, said: And Nichelson’s company isn’t alone.
Food Tank spotlights 12 innovative companies that are turning food waste and agricultural byproducts into eco-friendly wearables. These companies aim to fight food waste while offering products they hope will create a more sustainable food and fashion industry.
1. Agraloop (Circulation system)
One of Circular Systems’ three breakthrough waste-to-fiber platforms, Agraloop transforms food waste into BioFibre™, a high-quality natural material used throughout the fashion industry. This fiber is made from a processing technology that breaks down organic waste such as pineapples, bananas, flax and hemp seeds. His Agraloop, which debuted at the 2019 Global Change Awards and was featured in Vogue, said the technology could generate up to 250 million tons of fiber each year, more than five times his current global demand for fiber. I have reported that it is helpful.
2. Allegory
Allegorie is a woman-owned company that creates high-quality, cruelty-free, PVC-free accessories from discarded fruit. The company collects produce such as mangoes, apples and cacti from farms and grocery stores and processes them into bags, backpacks, purses and more. By using a combination of plant-based polymer materials and recycled her polyester, she reportedly uses 84% less energy than traditional manufacturing methods.
3. Artex
ALT TEX, a Toronto-based startup, creates sustainable polyester alternatives from food waste. The company, founded by entrepreneur girlfriend Myra Arshad and her best friend and biochemist Avneet Ghotra, recently raised US$1.5 million, which will be used directly to commercialize polyester-like fabrics. As part of the NEXT36 Entrepreneurship Program, the startup aims to disrupt the polyester industry by creating sustainable fabrics free of microplastics and made from food waste.
4. Ananas Anam
Ananas Anam, a certified B Corporation, is the developer of Piñatex, a plant-based leather made from the fiber waste of pineapple leaves. More than 100 of his brands around the world use the company’s textiles, which can be combined with other natural materials. The company reports that converting leaves that would otherwise be discarded into Piñatex prevented the release of 264 tons of carbon dioxide.Piñatex was awarded the Arts Foundation Material Innovation Award in 2016. was awarded. Publications such as Huffington Post, WIRED, ELLE, and Vogue have also featured the company’s products.
5. Bananatex
Bananatex is a 100% biodegradable and waterproof fabric developed by QWSTION, a Swiss bag brand and materials innovator, made from the fibers of the abaca banana plant that grows naturally in the Philippines. The bananas used in Bananatex require no additional inputs such as pesticides or fertilizers and are also used in reforestation efforts in the Philippines. This circular alternative to synthetic fibers won the Green Product Award 2019, the Design Prize Swiss Award 2019/20 and the German Sustainability Award Design 2021.
6. bolt screw
Bolt Threads is the material solutions company behind Mylo, a faux leather made from mycelium, an underground network of fungi. Producing the mycelium used to create Mylo requires mulch, air and water, and the company says the mycelium takes just two weeks to grow. Brands like adidas, lululemon, and Stella McCartney have incorporated Mylo into their product lines.
7. Dessert
Founded in 2019 by Adrian Lopez Velarde and Marte Cazarez, Mexico-based Desserto manufactures leather alternatives made from the nopal cactus, also known as prickly pear. Plastic-free, cruelty-free, and requiring little water to manufacture, this plant-based leather is used in the automotive, fashion and furniture industries. Desserto recently partnered with companies such as Adidas, Mercedes Benz and BMW. Recognized and awarded by organizations such as LVMH, Good Design Australia, Global Fashion Agenda, Architectural Digest and PETA.
8. Kombucha Couture
Designed by cheesemaker Sacha Rollin, Kombucha Couture is a line of sustainable jewelry and clothing made with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), also used to make kombucha. Lauryn experiments with different drying cultures to create her wearable pieces to create durable, versatile fabrics that act as alternatives to leather, canvas, and silk. Featured in 2014 Sacramento Fashion Week and The Huffington Post, kombucha couture hopes to contribute to the definition of sustainable fashion.
9. Orange fiber
Using citrus juice by-products, Italian company Orange Fiber strives to produce high-quality, sustainable fabrics for clothing companies around the world. To produce the fabric, they blend silk-like cellulose threads. This yarn can be used alone or blended with other yarns and materials.Orange Fiber reports that it has produced over 15,000 meters of fabric while recycling over 120 tons of citrus fruits. – Products. Orange Fiber has won several awards including UNECE Ideas For Change Award, MF Supply Chain Awards 2020 and Elle Impact2 For Women Award.
10.Q Milk
Developed by microbiologist and fashion designer Anke Domaske, QMilk is a 100% renewable and biodegradable textile fiber made from milk. QMilk works to provide sustainable and innovative solutions to food waste, using her 2 million tonnes of milk that is wasted each year in Germany. Going completely zero waste, the company has won awards including the 2015 Greentech Award and his 2014 “Bio-based Material of the Year” Innovation Award.
11. S. Cafe
Invented in 2008 by Taiwanese functional fabric company Singtex, S.Café is a fabric made from used coffee grounds. S.Café sources coffee grounds from his coffee shops across Taiwan and combines them with other recycled materials to create deodorizing and quick-drying yarns. North Face, Puma and Timberland are apparel brands that use branded materials. In recent years, S.Café won the Taiwan Excellence Award in 2016 and 2017, and the ISPO TEXTRENDS Award in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018/19.
12. Begea
Founded in Milan in 2016, Vegea is a technology company that produces plant-based leather-like products made from wine waste. Derived from grape pomace (skins, stems and seeds normally discarded during wine production), Vegea’s plant-based leather is a 100% recyclable and renewable textile. Businesses can use the leather for bags and other accessories, shoes and clothing. Vegea has received numerous awards and recognition, including the 2015 Start&Cup Award, the 2017 Innovation Made in Italy Award by Unicredit and the 2017 Global Change Award by the H&M Foundation.
Articles like the one you just read are made possible by the generosity of Food Tank members. Can we expect you to join our growing movement? Click here to become a member now.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons