Some say that there is Wealth in Waste as companies use waste such as leather shavings, offcuts, and used objects to make new products.

It is the antithesis of the throwaway, polluting fast fashion society and something being demanded by more environmentally and climate-change conscious consumers.

As Scottish Leather Group (SLG) company, Muirhead notes, “there is increasing pressure as consumers’ mentality slowly changes. Old becomes new, and waste becomes an essential tool for creating new products”.

As a specialist leather maker for public transport and aviation seating, Muirhead speaks about Air Canada turning old seats into tote bags; others created notebooks and furniture.

Designers have a key role to play by using old materials instead of new ones to create luxury and mass market items from leather scraps or reusable material.

Recycling and repurposing of end-of-life leather objects is the way forward to contribute to a healthier environment and to cater to developing customer requirements.