DEVELOPMENT OF DYED BANANA FIBRE SANDALS FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE: A SUSTAINABLE FOOTWEAR INNOVATION

Abstract

Synthetic materials are used in the making of shoes because of their durability, flexibility, low production cost and consistency in mass production. All of these benefits, however, come with their own drawbacks, such as their reliance on fossil-based resources and low biodegradability, necessitating a search for alternative sustainable footwear materials derived from renewable and waste sources. The goal of this study is to create an environmentally-friendly sandal prototype made of dyed banana fibre obtained from agricultural residues of banana pseudostem. The study proceeded in the following manner: the banana pseudostem fibres were handpicked, cleaned, dried, dyed and made into fibre yarn and the yarn was woven as a 2/2 twill fabric structure and used for the upper of the sandal. Fabric (woven banana fibre) was cut as per sandal upper pattern and then stitched and adhesive bonded with sole to make the sandal product. The fabric might be treated as an upper material during the assembly process and still be in the 2/2 twill weave. The sandal was light and presented a visible natural fibre surface after completed, which means that the banana pseudostem waste can be transformed to the upper of a sandal at the prototype stage. It is hoped that this study would give preliminary evidence for the development of handmade eco-friendly sandals using dyed banana fibre. But prototype assessment was only qualitatively done. Further experimental work is required to evaluate the material under practical footwear conditions, such as tensile, tear, abrasion, water, colour fastness, sole adhesion and in use durability. Cost analysis and consumer acceptance should also be reviewed prior to the consideration of using dyed banana fibre for wider footwear production.

Keywords : Banana fibre; sustainable footwear; agricultural waste; twill weave; circular economy; eco-fashion; textile innovation.