Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Students Win PETA India Award for Banana-Peel Vegan Leather
Some college students in Delhi made a special new material.
They made it from old banana peels that people usually throw away.
This material looks and works like leather, which is used to make jackets and bags.
But it is vegan, which means no animals were hurt to make it.
The students spent almost a year working on their invention.
They named it Sehar.
They wanted to help animals like cows and buffaloes that are used to make leather.
They also wanted to help the environment by using food waste.
Now a big animal rights group called PETA India is giving them an award for their great work.
Students of Delhi University's Ramjas College developed vegan leather made from discarded banana peels, naming the material 'Sehar'.
The student members of Enactus Ramjas will receive the Youth Changemakers for Animals Award from PETA India.
The team spent nearly a year developing the durable and flexible material, working with faculty members along the way.
Enactus Ramjas president Kanishka Yadav said concerns over the treatment of cows and buffaloes in leather production and fruit waste pollution motivated the project.
PETA India Director of Corporate Affairs Ashima Kukreja said the students showed young people know future businesses must incorporate animal and environmental protection.
- Who
- Students of Delhi University's Ramjas College, members of Enactus Ramjas, led by president Kanishka Yadav.
- What
- Developed vegan leather from discarded banana peels and earned the Youth Changemakers for Animals Award from PETA India.
- When
- Not specified in the article.
- Where
- Delhi University's Ramjas College, New Delhi.
- Why
- To offer a compassionate alternative to animal-derived leather and address the environmental problems of discarded fruit waste.
- Award
- Youth Changemakers for Animals Award from PETA India
- Material name
- Sehar
- Material source
- Discarded banana peels
- Student group
- Enactus Ramjas, Delhi University's Ramjas College
- Development time
- Nearly one year
- Student leader
- Kanishka Yadav, president of Enactus Ramjas
- PETA India spokesperson
- Ashima Kukreja, Director of Corporate Affairs
- Material qualities
- Durable and flexible