Integrating E-Waste and Vegetable-Tanned Leather to Produce Fashion Adornments

Purpose: This study explores the possibility of integrating junk electronic objects and variedly dyed and painted pieces of vegetable-tanned leather to produce fashion accessories. Design/Methodology/Approach: The qualitative study is grounded in an art-based research (ABR) design. The researchers produced the ornaments using techniques such as soldering, beading, braiding, painting, dyeing, spraying, marbling, thonging, sawing, cutting, and tying. Findings: The study suggested integrating vegetable-tanned leather and junk electronic objects to produce various fashion accessories. Thirty-nine items were produced, including bags, belts, footwear, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Images of these products are duly captured in this paper. Research Limitation: This research explores the feasibility of integrating vegetable-tanned leather with junk electronic objects to produce fashion adornments. However, the study is limited in evaluating the products' safety and consumer perception. Further studies are needed to shed light on the above. Practical Implication: Combining e-waste with vegetable-tanned leather to produce fashion accessories is a progressive enterprise that can produce sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion products. Social Implication: E-waste is dumped in landfills and littered carelessly around the environment. Integrating these waste materials into utilitarian articles can minimise their damaging environmental effects and allow creative people to produce valuable articles for society. Originality/Value: This study presents innovative accessories that can inspire creative people to transform discarded electronic objects into valuable adornments of various forms, textures and colours.