08/01/2025
I'm thrilled to be running a fish leather tanning workshop this weekend in Taitung, Taiwan, sharing this skill with students from the Earth Passengers Permaculture Community.
I met Hui-i and Peter at the recent International Permaculture Conference, organised by them, and was invited to run a workshop with them at their venue.
Seafood is a huge industry in Taiwan, so tanning fish leather can reduce wasted fishskin byproducts and create opportunities for craft and industry. Tea is also a massive industry in Taiwan, with some tea varieties losing their flavour and freshness after a few years.
Using stale tea leaves for their tannins is great way to use this resource unsold from shops or warehouses. Tea is a from the Camellia sinensis plant is a widely accepted method of creating high quality veg tanned leather. It is accessible, affordable and easy to use. Leaves don't need milling or soaking and are ready to steep and brew into tanning solutions.