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Materials

Choosing the right materials is at the forefront of each collection, and in many ways is the most important part of the design process. Every single material used in a Mashu bag is 100% vegan, and has been carefully selected for it’s sustainable qualities.  


All materials are chosen based on the conservation of natural resources, and we prioritise options that are organic, plant based, recycled, circular and cruelty free. In tandem with material DNA, our team focus on finding responsible suppliers who have values which align with our own.

 

We continue to explore and test with the newest and most innovative materials the industry has to offer, ensuring we improve our material list with each collection created.


 


PIÑATEX®

 

Piñatex is a vegan leather alternative made from the leaves of the pineapple plant, a byproduct of the fruit industry which are traditionally discarded or burned. Adding value to this waste has created a new source of income for farming communities who otherwise rely on a seasonal harvest. Once the fibre has been stripped from the leaf the leftover biomass is retained to use as a natural fertiliser or biofuel, offering a further economic prospect.


To maintain your Piñatex bag, we recommend regular natural waxing to maintain its features. Marks can be cleaned with water, using a damp soft cloth or sponge. Piñatex® is water resistant, not waterproof. To keep Piñatex waterproof we recommend regular application of a waterproofing spray.

 

 

 

               
Apple Leather

Apple leather is a bio-based leather alternative derived from apple industry food waste. The material is made with cellulose fibres left over from the apple juicing industry, as well as from the almost 40% of apple farmer’s harvest which is left in fields due to not meeting the cosmetic standards of supermarkets. Waste is gathered in Tyrol, Italy - a region renowned for the waste that comes from its large apple industry, before being repurposed in Milan and given a new life in the form apple leather.

To take care of Apple leather bag always wipe up spills as soon as they occur, never clean with harsh chemicals, instead use a damp cloth. It is waterproof but do try to keep your bag away from damp spaces for a prolonged duration. Always store in dustbag provided when stored.

 
 
 


VEGEA

Vegea is a bio-based material made from grape residue from the Italian wine industry. Vegea works with Italian wineries to add value to the grape residue leftover from Wine production, using the grape skin, seeds and stalk waste to create a new vegan alternative to leather. The result is a soft leather-like material, backed with 78% eco-composite organic cotton and 22% water based PU.

 

To take care of Vegea bag always wipe up spills as soon as they occur, never clean with harsh chemicals, instead use a damp cloth. Vegea is waterproof but do try to keep your bag away from damp spaces for a prolonged duration. Always store in dustbag provided when stored.
 


Organic Cotton

In most of our linings we use organic cotton. The organic cotton we get is Aegean and is purchased from the Netherlands. Our supplier is GOTS certified

which means the organic cotton we get has:

  • no GMO
  • no harmful chemicals
  • no child labour
  • no dyes or inks that have been classified as allergenic

Organic cotton uses: no pesticides, insects are combated in an environmentally friendly manner, weeds are not sprayed but removed mechanically or manually, cotton ball picking is done manually without defoliating the plant first. In addition, attention is paid to responsible water management and any necessary restoration of the soil (through natural fertilisation)

 


Corn

Bioveg is a bio-based leather made in Italy from GRS certified 27% recycled polyester and 73% bio-based mass content that comes from non GMO corn crops.BioVeg has a smaller environmental impact than petroleum based vegan leather alternatives and emits significantly less CO2 emissions.
 
To take care of your Bioveg bag always wipe up spills as soon as they occur, never clean with harsh chemicals. Bioveg is waterproof but do try to keep your bag away from damp spaces for a prolonged duration. Always store in dustbag provided when stored.
 


Recycled Polyester

 
 
 
 
In some of our linings we use Italian recycled polyester.. The production is similar to that used for paper recycling, in which no harmful chemical substances are used. The recycled polyester is derived from polyester fibres (t-shirts, clothes) and PET bottles (mostly plastic water bottles). Recycling polyester means reducing energy usage by 80% in comparison to energy used in making traditional petrol based polyester.
 
 
 


Re-Purposed Wood

We collaborate with a local furniture factory in Athens to collect their wooden furniture offcuts which would otherwise be discarded or burned. We take the offcuts and our artisans repurpose them into our handles. Our wooden handles are durable and coated with natural and water based lacquers.

 

To take care of your wooden handles, try not to drop them or smash them too many times as that might result to some chipping of the wood. . Make sure you keep them away from damp spaces for long periods of time. If wood feels a bit harsh to the touch you can use a piece of paper and rub the wood gently until it feels smooth again.

 

Please note that because wood is a natural material and our wood is from offcuts, each handle is completely unique from the other so slight differences might be visible.

 

 

We will always strive to keep improving every season. We aim to progress, learn and evolve to reduce our impact and
operate as sustainably and ethically as possible.

If you have any questions about our materials and how to care for them please contact us at customercare@itsmashu.com

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