Automotive leather supplier Pangea is putting its leftover hides to good use — donating 600 of them to Pingree Detroit, a Michigan company that turns reclaimed auto leather into premium goods while creating jobs for U.S. veterans and Detroit residents.
It’s the largest single donation Pingree has received this year, and it’s going to go a long way. The 600 hides will be transformed into more than 3,500 leather goods, including wallets, tote bags, sneakers, coasters and more.
Of course, that means more than just cool handmade products. It also means new jobs for veterans and Detroiters, and less waste ending up in landfills — something both organizations care deeply about.
“Pingree Detroit is doing truly meaningful work,” said Bob Tuuk, Vice President of Global Purchasing at Pangea. “Their mission of reimagining waste and giving discarded materials new life closely aligns with our commitment to reducing environmental impact and leading sustainable leather manufacturing. As a veteran myself, I am proud that we can play a role in all the good they are doing.”
Pingree Detroit was founded in 2015 with a mission to combine craftsmanship, sustainability and social impact. Every item they make comes with a “Maker Card” featuring a quote from the veteran or Detroiter who crafted it, giving customers a direct connection to the people behind their products.
“This donation of 600+ hides is more than material — it’s an investment in people,” said Jarret Schlaff, co-founder and CEO of Pingree Detroit. “It means at least 3,500+ products handmade in Detroit, it means jobs for Veterans and Detroiters, and it means another step toward a future where what we make maximizes the well-being of the community around us.”
The donation also fits neatly into Pangea’s broader sustainability efforts. In 2024, the company diverted 68% (1,670 metric tons) of leather shavings from landfills by repurposing them into co-products for local industries and exporting some for processing in Italy.
For both companies, it’s a win-win: less waste, more opportunity and a lot of beautiful leather goods made right in Detroit.
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