Students from the Federal Urdu University in Karachi have developed a groundbreaking, eco-friendly shoe polish made from natural ingredients, including chicken and beef fat. This innovative product is not only cost-effective but also environmentally conscious, addressing the need for sustainable alternatives to chemical-laden shoe care products.
The project was undertaken by students from the university’s chemistry department at the Gulshan campus, under the guidance of Ms. Maryam Nasir and Dr. Abdul Mujeeb.
Utilizing tallow fat extracted from chicken and beef, along with sunflower oil, coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil, beeswax, and other natural components, the students created a high-quality shoe polish through extensive research and testing.
Features of the Eco-Friendly Shoe Polish:
- Affordable: A 50-gram pack is priced at just PKR 150, making it accessible to a wide audience.
- Environmentally Safe: Unlike commercial polishes that use harmful chemicals, this polish is made entirely from natural ingredients.
- Durable Effect: It not only adds a long-lasting shine but also protects shoes from damage over time.
- Innovative Use of Waste: Chicken and beef fat, often discarded, are repurposed into a valuable product, reducing waste.
Team members Yusuf Ali and Sehar Gul emphasized that polished shoes are crucial for creating positive first impressions, especially at job interviews or social events. They highlighted the harmful effects of conventional polishes and expressed hopes of scaling up production with industrial support.
This eco-friendly polish is a testament to the ingenuity of Pakistan’s young scientists and their commitment to sustainable solutions.
