Chilgok County Is Upcycling Melon Waste Into Korea’s First Vegan Leather

Chilgok County in South Korea has found a sustainable solution for its melon waste by upcycling it into vegan leather. Working with HLK, a vegan fashion brand, the county has developed prototype leather products such as card wallets and bags. This initiative not only reduces food waste but also meets the growing demand for sustainable leather products.

By combining dried melon rinds with plant-based fabrics, researchers were able to create a versatile vegan leather with approximately 10 percent melon waste. The plan is to increase the melon content to 22 percent and expand the use of this sustainable material into industrial applications like automotive interiors. The partnership with HLK has already produced certified vegan leather products, showing the potential for agricultural byproducts to become a valuable new industry in the region.