Finding a material that's environmentally friendly and can be recycled is essential for designers who want to create products with minimal impact on nature. Leather has been considered one of the most popular options because it is durable and offers a unique texture that other materials don't have. the biggest attribute of leather is that it is biodegradable, which really is the final factor when weighing and measuring sustainability. If you material can never break down, then it will forever be oozing its chemicals into our planet. Chrome free leather is really where it is at for leather options. On the flip side, there has been a move away from traditional leather of late amid growing environmental and ethical concerns amongst consumers.
Recently, new kinds of leather-like materials that can be used to manufacture handbags and other accessories are being introduced. Cork, pineapple and mushroom leather have all been tapped to produce a more sustainable future for manufacturing.
cork
Cork is harvested without damaging the trees, which means it does not contribute to air or water pollution. It produces no waste when extracted and processed; plus cork can be returned back to nature so there's less chance of damage done to the planet! Even if some scrap cork gets made that doesn't get reused by other industries (if at all), then this material will eventually breakdown on its own in a matter of months due both its biodegradability as well as compost-ability.
Mushroom Leather
Mushroom-leather is not only environmentally friendly, but it's durable and water repellent too! However, currently only about 430 to 530 square feet of Italian-made vegetable leather can be produced a month. With time this deficiency should diminish as
technology progresses further into
developmental stages where more producers will be able to meet demand. It is a great material to keep an eye on for the future.
pineapple leather
Pineapple leather is a durable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional hide. Even though it is made with plastic and resine, it's main component is made from natural fibers - meaning that it doesn't contain any animal byproducts. It is a great alternative to the traditional vegan leather.
Choosing an environmentally friendly material for your design project is important. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which one will be the best option? If you're looking for an alternative option, we offer design consults where our experts will help you find sustainable alternatives to your products. Book yours and get started today!