Surplus Leather Project

Working to support a thriving and connected UK leather industry

Trialled in 2022–2023, we now have an ongoing Surplus Leather Project, with thanks to our wholesale partner, Abbey England, who manages donations and distribution of donated leather to our education partners; the tanneries who donate the skins; and our university partners who give access to and teach their students how to use them.

Each of the donated hides are surplus to customer requirements and would otherwise have been stored indeterminately or ended up in landfill. Our leather education partners have free rein regarding how best to engage their students with the material and approach it in a range of ways, from holding special workshops or masterclasses to integrating it as part of specific projects or classes.

Tanneries involved:

Scottish Leather (2022 and 2024), Pittards (2022),  Charles F Stead (2022 and 2024), Skyeskins (2022), Waltham Tannery (2024), Sedgwick (2024) and GH Leathers (2024) .

University partners:

Birmingham City University / Central Saint Martins / De Montfort University / Glasgow School of Art / JCA London Fashion Academy / London College of Fashion / University of the Arts London / Royal College of Art / University of Northampton / University of South Wales / West Dean College

Read more from each of the partners and about the project on Abbey England’s site here.