Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain
The leather industry is experiencing a significant rise in production, resulting in an increase in discarded materials–often classified as urban waste—that end up in landfills or are incinerated. Given the geographical proximity of the leather goods sector in Ubrique to the cork stopper manufacturin...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Miguel Suffo José Luis García-Morales José María Abelleira-Pereira Pierpaolo D’Agostino |
| author_facet | Miguel Suffo José Luis García-Morales José María Abelleira-Pereira Pierpaolo D’Agostino |
| author_sort | Miguel Suffo |
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| description | The leather industry is experiencing a significant rise in production, resulting in an increase in discarded materials–often classified as urban waste—that end up in landfills or are incinerated. Given the geographical proximity of the leather goods sector in Ubrique to the cork stopper manufacturing industry in El Puerto de Santa María/Jerez and to the viticulture sector in Jerez/Sanlúcar/Chiclana, it is essential to explore synergies that can address environmental challenges by contemplating a circular economy approach. This study focuses on the existing potential of repurposing discarded materials, such as reinforcements and linings, by meticulously recording, classifying, and characterizing them. The aim is to valorize these by-products in line with the circular economy principles set out by the European Union. Specifically, the research investigates the feasibility of using these materials as raw inputs, in combination with resins, to produce bottle stoppers for the high-end spirits industry. Findings indicate that a single company generates over six tons of textile waste per month, which equates to approximately EUR 25,000 annually in landfill disposal costs. By implementing a circular alternative that uses just 8.75% of these materials, an economic saving of around EUR 750 per year was reached. In addition, a low-cost vacuum molding method was tested for producing stoppers, yielding aesthetically pleasing and durable prototypes. The application of a materials circularity index enabled the identification of optimal remnants for reintroduction into the production cycle. This re-integration not only reduces the reliance on virgin plastic materials, but also has the potential to significantly reduce the overall environmental impact across interconnected sectors. Ultimately, this study highlights the viability of adopting circular economy practices within the leather goods sector to promote sustainability and economic efficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-19fc9c3a01ac4dfd8bad8789ff96452c |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-19fc9c3a01ac4dfd8bad8789ff96452c2025-01-10T13:14:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0115114510.3390/app15010145Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern SpainMiguel Suffo0José Luis García-Morales1José María Abelleira-Pereira2Pierpaolo D’Agostino3Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design, Higher School of Engineering of Puerto Real, IVAGRO-Wine and Agrifood Research Institute, University of Cádiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, SpainDepartment of Environmental Technologies, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, IVAGRO-Wine and Agrifood Research Institute, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Higher Technical School of Engineering of Algeciras, University of Cádiz, 11202 Algeciras, Cádiz, SpainDepartment of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80138 Naples, ItalyThe leather industry is experiencing a significant rise in production, resulting in an increase in discarded materials–often classified as urban waste—that end up in landfills or are incinerated. Given the geographical proximity of the leather goods sector in Ubrique to the cork stopper manufacturing industry in El Puerto de Santa María/Jerez and to the viticulture sector in Jerez/Sanlúcar/Chiclana, it is essential to explore synergies that can address environmental challenges by contemplating a circular economy approach. This study focuses on the existing potential of repurposing discarded materials, such as reinforcements and linings, by meticulously recording, classifying, and characterizing them. The aim is to valorize these by-products in line with the circular economy principles set out by the European Union. Specifically, the research investigates the feasibility of using these materials as raw inputs, in combination with resins, to produce bottle stoppers for the high-end spirits industry. Findings indicate that a single company generates over six tons of textile waste per month, which equates to approximately EUR 25,000 annually in landfill disposal costs. By implementing a circular alternative that uses just 8.75% of these materials, an economic saving of around EUR 750 per year was reached. In addition, a low-cost vacuum molding method was tested for producing stoppers, yielding aesthetically pleasing and durable prototypes. The application of a materials circularity index enabled the identification of optimal remnants for reintroduction into the production cycle. This re-integration not only reduces the reliance on virgin plastic materials, but also has the potential to significantly reduce the overall environmental impact across interconnected sectors. Ultimately, this study highlights the viability of adopting circular economy practices within the leather goods sector to promote sustainability and economic efficiency.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/145leather goodstextile solid by-productscircular economymaterial circularity index MCIvacuum molding process |
| spellingShingle | Miguel Suffo José Luis García-Morales José María Abelleira-Pereira Pierpaolo D’Agostino Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain Applied Sciences leather goods textile solid by-products circular economy material circularity index MCI vacuum molding process |
| title | Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain |
| title_full | Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain |
| title_fullStr | Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain |
| title_short | Circular Economy Alternative Repurposing Textile Solid Discarded Materials from the Leather Goods Sector in Ubrique (Cádiz), Southern Spain |
| title_sort | circular economy alternative repurposing textile solid discarded materials from the leather goods sector in ubrique cadiz southern spain |
| topic | leather goods textile solid by-products circular economy material circularity index MCI vacuum molding process |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/145 |
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