Handbags from residues of apple farming
A swiss brand, Happy Genie, has developed a new business model to produce environmentally sustainable fashion bags, produced and sourced locally from apple farming residues.
The innovative process lies in making use of otherwise discarded material (apple waste) for the creation of a product of appeal (high design).
The value chain is organized as follows:
Apple producers providing apple waste;
Laboratory processing hard and liquid waste material
Logistics and transport for shipping throughout all the process
Industry transforming the material
Manufacturing to create the handbags
Farmers gain economic benefits from selling or addressing the waste created from their apple’s production and processing. Furthermore, they have the opportunity to foster their network with other industrial/manufacturing/selling sectors, enhancing visibility and opening new market opportunities.
On the other hand, retailers and logistics can claim of belonging to a sustainable production value chain that responds to the principles of sustainability, locally sourced and produced, fair trade, and circular economy.
The key factors that contribute to the success of this business model are:
large apple production in nearby regions
proximity with the different industrial steps
skills, tools, machinery, and knowledge needed for the transformation.