At The Carbon Closet, we believe fashion should feel good — on your skin, and on your conscience. Many of our stunning products use plant-based materials, such as, cotton, wool and hemp. However, our planet is in a dire sustainability crisis and requires new and innovative solutions, particularly within the fashion sector- the world’s second biggest polluter- therefore, manufacturers are exploring fascinating alternatives that we haven’t seen before. Previously, we investigated mushroom leather, today’s topic: Cactus Leather.
Join us as we delve into the production, benefits and possible disadvantages of this- literally- green leather.
The Process
Nopal (or ‘Prickly Pear’) cacti are the best option for this plant-based leather, due to their wide flat leaves. One of many advantages of this vegan leather is that only the mature leaves are harvested for manufacturing, leaving the rest of the plant able to regrow and be harvested again. These leaves are crushed, dried and fibres are extracted from the produce, which are then mixed with other substances to form a resin that is applied over other base materials, and cactus leather is formed. To keep this alternative completely sustainable, other eco-friendly materials such as cotton should be used for the base, and as always, no harmful chemicals and dyes should be added since this would counteract the ecological practise.
Benefits
When this is produced ecologically; meaning no additives are used and a natural fabric is used as the base, cacti leather is one of the most clean and green leather alternatives to make!
1) All about the air
Cacti are renowned for their amazing absorption of carbon dioxide from the air around them. Imagine a handbag that filters your home! They do this whilst remaining breathable for you to wear.
2) Water usage
Unlike cotton, cacti are one of the very few plants that require little water and pesticides to grow healthily. Even after production, the cactus leather pertains its antibacterial properties and is highly water-resistant.
3) Durability and duration
The cactus plant itself regrows healthily when only mature leaves are harvested, and in a matter of weeks, a useable cactus leather product can be made. It is also much more durable than other vegan-leather options and is predicted to last almost as long as animal leathers.
Drawbacks
Every product has its drawbacks; however, cactus leather appears to have some of the least detrimental disadvantages!
1) Additional substances
Not so much of a drawback as it is a consideration. All vegan products run the risk of lowering their super sustainability score if they begin adding in plastic-based material or any chemicals that could harm the environment or even the wearer. Cactus leather is no different and should be grown, harvested, dyed and treated responsibly, before being backed onto a sustainably produced base material.
2) Cost
Cactus leather does appear to be of a similar price range to real leather, perhaps due to the number of steps involved when creating products.
3) Flexibility
With layering involved, cactus leather has a limited bendability, therefore may be an unsuitable fabric for particular products.
Join us as we delve into the production, benefits and possible disadvantages of this- literally- green leather.
The Process
Nopal (or ‘Prickly Pear’) cacti are the best option for this plant-based leather, due to their wide flat leaves. One of many advantages of this vegan leather is that only the mature leaves are harvested for manufacturing, leaving the rest of the plant able to regrow and be harvested again. These leaves are crushed, dried and fibres are extracted from the produce, which are then mixed with other substances to form a resin that is applied over other base materials, and cactus leather is formed. To keep this alternative completely sustainable, other eco-friendly materials such as cotton should be used for the base, and as always, no harmful chemicals and dyes should be added since this would counteract the ecological practise.
Benefits
When this is produced ecologically; meaning no additives are used and a natural fabric is used as the base, cacti leather is one of the most clean and green leather alternatives to make!
1) All about the air
Cacti are renowned for their amazing absorption of carbon dioxide from the air around them. Imagine a handbag that filters your home! They do this whilst remaining breathable for you to wear.
2) Water usage
Unlike cotton, cacti are one of the very few plants that require little water and pesticides to grow healthily. Even after production, the cactus leather pertains its antibacterial properties and is highly water-resistant.
3) Durability and duration
The cactus plant itself regrows healthily when only mature leaves are harvested, and in a matter of weeks, a useable cactus leather product can be made. It is also much more durable than other vegan-leather options and is predicted to last almost as long as animal leathers.
Drawbacks
Every product has its drawbacks; however, cactus leather appears to have some of the least detrimental disadvantages!
1) Additional substances
Not so much of a drawback as it is a consideration. All vegan products run the risk of lowering their super sustainability score if they begin adding in plastic-based material or any chemicals that could harm the environment or even the wearer. Cactus leather is no different and should be grown, harvested, dyed and treated responsibly, before being backed onto a sustainably produced base material.
2) Cost
Cactus leather does appear to be of a similar price range to real leather, perhaps due to the number of steps involved when creating products.
3) Flexibility
With layering involved, cactus leather has a limited bendability, therefore may be an unsuitable fabric for particular products.
Start your sustainable fashion journey today
Despite its humble beginnings, cactus leather products are certainly not prickly towards the environment and consumer!
Desserto is the leading manufacturer of cactus leather and can provide you with more in-depth information into these super shrubs.
Even if these desert derived products are not to your taste, The Carbon Closet is a proud platform that promotes cactus leather, alongside many other stylish and sustainable items, where we will have something to suit all.
We’d love to invite you on our journey into a sustainable fashion future, so please do visit our website for more products and sign up to our newsletter for further information.
Interested in more vegan-leathers?
Keep an eye on this page for next week’s fascinating fabrics-
Hint: We’re headed for the tropics next, where our leather-of-the-week will be the pina to your colada!
Despite its humble beginnings, cactus leather products are certainly not prickly towards the environment and consumer!
Desserto is the leading manufacturer of cactus leather and can provide you with more in-depth information into these super shrubs.
Even if these desert derived products are not to your taste, The Carbon Closet is a proud platform that promotes cactus leather, alongside many other stylish and sustainable items, where we will have something to suit all.
We’d love to invite you on our journey into a sustainable fashion future, so please do visit our website for more products and sign up to our newsletter for further information.
Interested in more vegan-leathers?
Keep an eye on this page for next week’s fascinating fabrics-
Hint: We’re headed for the tropics next, where our leather-of-the-week will be the pina to your colada!
