Eco-Friendly Leather Exists, Made From Cactus

[RAMROD 117,131]

 

Leather is a tale as old as time: It is part of a booming $80 billion industry, making it one of the most traded products with serious moral legitimacy issues. Problematic for its cruel use of animals and harsh chemicals that severely harm the environment, this past decade has prompted a collective need to lead ethical lives in light of the Space Age. 

Two entrepreneurs from Mexico are paving the way for this to become a reality. They have found a leather alternative that is not only eco-friendly but has the look and feel of real leather, and their product could save millions of animals worldwide if or when it becomes widely available. What is this magic product, you ask? It is the Opuntia cactus, otherwise known as the prickly pear.

Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez are the men behind this innovative leather, and while you might think it is impossible, their product made out of the nopal cactus looks and feels exactly like the real thing.

Not only is cactus leather cruelty-free, but it also significantly cuts down on the usage of natural resources, like water. Cacti grow just fine with rain water alone, meaning Velarde and Cázarez don't use an irrigation system for their plants.

In fact, Opuntia cacti only require about 200 liters of water to produce one kilogram of dry material, whereas other plants, like corn, can require upward of 1,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of solids.

When you consider it takes an average of over 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pair of leather shoes, this makes a vast difference—especially because Velarde and Cázarez are planning to commercialize their cactus leather for the likes of purses, shoes, and even clothing in the luxury fashion industry.

 

Source:

https://amp.interestingengineering.com/creating-leather-from-cactus-to-save-animals-and-the-environment

 

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/amp32945339/cactus-leather-alternative-desserto/

 

Now everyone can wear cool leather jacket

[Midknight 460]

Wow this is good news!! Thanks for sharing 

[PartySick 172,545]

Time to get the jacket I've wanted for years 

[RAMROD 117,131]

I do hope this material is becoming the standard for leather. It looked great already.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bonkers 30,860]

[RAMROD 117,131]

4 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

 

Mama, keep the family portrait private

[raragaga 8,119]

damn that's awesome!