Why has a Peterborough manufacturer championed an athletic bid to help tackle climate change?

Manufacturer ELeather is championing a leading member of staff who has vowed to run to and from work each day in a bid to highlight the plant’s plight.

Head of sustainability Lee Whitton (34) of Whittlesey, has run 16 miles each day to the company’s site at Sturrock Way, including Earth Day on April 22 (today) – an internationally-recognised time for all to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

ELeather, which makes sustainable, engineered leather that saves thousands of tonnes of leather waste from going to landfill, has vowed to donate two trees for every mile Lee runs to the Forest for Peterborough appeal, which aims to plant over 230,000 trees in and around the city.

Mr Whitton said: “Since ELeather production began, we’ve recycled thousands of tonnes of leather waste to make a luxury material that can be used in a multitude of applications.

“Our materials are manufactured in a responsible way that comes at a fraction of the environmental cost, compared to leather.

“We’ve been working with many global brands for over 10 years to help reduce their environmental impact and now we want to make consumers aware of environmentally friendly material options available to them today.”

ELeather has two production hubs in Peterborough and has 130 staff. Its materials are used by four of the world’s largest airlines, by Nike and by pet accessories company, Project Blu.