Making Shoes And Leather Jackets From Fish Skin
Making Shoes And Leather Jackets From Fish Skin
Fish waste from fish filleting businesses along Lake Victoria, particularly in Kisumu County, was long dumped there, causing pollution and environmental deterioration.
For the locals, the area around the lake was a nightmare because of the waste’s stink. Newton Owino, a leather chemist who lived there, toiled day and night finding a cure for the fish waste.
By utilizing his expertise in leather chemistry and conducting persistent study, Owino devised the concept of transforming fish waste into valuable and functional items. He founded a business to gather the refuse and tan the fish hides for leather, which he used to create shoes, coats, belts, and even books covers.
“The main idea was actually to sustainably manage this waste and also to generate income. We didn’t just look at it as waste,” Owino says.
The garbage can be converted in a simple manner. Owino gathers the waste and pretreats the skin to make it into leather first, then into a belt. He makes use of organic materials like papain from papaya fruit. In order to give the leather a pleasing appearance for his customers, Owino additionally colors it.
“We mostly export our fish leather goods to other countries, but we have also begun to make inroads into the regional market. Our fish skin leather is, in my opinion, more distinctive and unique among us. Thus, it will require some time for it to be fully embraced here,” he continues.
Owino has not only managed to improve the environment near Lake Victoria with its effort, but it has also given women and young people in Kisumu job opportunities.
“I want to exhort the young people to look around and find worth in the things that surround them. Although the leather industry is immensely profitable, many believe that it is just for the less fortunate members of society. One can do this until they lose their sight if we completely utilize it.” according to Owino.
