[Strawbale] building with leather bales

[Ruth Newell]

John,
   
  Is the leather that is bound into bales the remnants of the shoe making industry, i.e. strips versus full hides? Any idea what the quantity produced annually of this by-product is? I think the suggestions Chris made were right on the money. Turning waste by-products into marketable goods is the ticket. And, if the bales themselves aren't the best building material, then making laminated products to serve the green building industry is an excellent idea...particularly if done through a community cooperative and serves as an economic development initiative.  I would be willing to discuss this further with you or your friends if they are interested.
   
   


Ruth Newell, Director 
New Millennium Development 
378 Rolling Bridge Road 
Centreville, MD 21617 
(443)262-9592 
http://www.newmillennium.us