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I sure hope this isn't true. Half of buying an iPhone is knowing that I'm going to pay the insane price for the leather case, but love it everyday and it'll last the entire life of my phone without issue.
 
I would be interested in reading credible sources that have data on this.

Could you point me in that direction?

I imagine this can be easily manipulated on both sides depending on where you start the measuring of environmental concerns.

I am not taking a position either way. Although, I don't have an issue with what its called for the same reason I don't have an issue with calling almond, oat, macadamia or any other nut, milk.

I do believe there will come a time where faux leather is made from sustainable sources that are not an oil derivative.
There definitely is a lot of disinformation on the subject of sustainability and materials. I don't have specific links to offer you, but I read a very long expose on the history and origin of the mythology that recycling would solve our plastic-waste problems. One of the main proponents, who by the way, was fully funded by the major petroleum companies(!), realized about 30 years too late that while yes, it is technically possible to recycle and reuse plastics, it is far too expensive to do so. It is infinitely cheaper to continue producing new plastics, which continues to produce a profit stream for the petroleum products industry and related manufacturers. Additionally, new or 'virgin' plastics have better qualities and can be used in higher quality products than anything recycled.

In terms of real world data, look at the fact that the majority of US based plastic waste was previously shipped to China, where it was incinerated or buried. The amount of waste was so huge, and such an environmental problem for China, that they stopped accepting further waste from the west. Which brings us to our current state in the USA, where most plastics which are separated for recycling are actually sent to landfills. An extremely small percentage of plastic waste is recycled and reused/remanufactured into other products. And it is more expensive to use recycled plastic than to use new 'virgin' plastic. So there is no financial advantage for companies that might want to use old plastics, other than marketing. The amounts are not enough to make more than a negligible impact on the state of the mountains of plastic waste we produce daily.

As to alternative milks, I have no problem with any of them (other than that the majority in-market are not particularly nutritious, being mostly water, sugar, colorants, gums, 'natural flavorings', a too-small amount of protein, and...unhealthy oils...).
We have used the terms 'milk' for the sap or macerated products of various nuts and seeds for decades, and these are natural products (in some cases).

Plastic 'leather' seems to me to be another term meant to disguise the unpleasant materials source of these petroleum-textiles. Which is what they really are.
 
I sure hope this isn't true. Half of buying an iPhone is knowing that I'm going to pay the insane price for the leather case, but love it everyday and it'll last the entire life of my phone without issue.
Now you get to enjoy an "eco friendly" (ironically less eco friendly than leather) option instead. Just like the alternative food products that go bad quicker or crumble in your hand.
 
The joke is that we wouldn't need new cases (no matter the material) if phones either lasted longer or used the same form factors over several generations.

But what do I know. I better go back to throwing away more obsoleted MagSafe adapters, which is totally fine because they're vegan.
 
That’s the response I expected
I looked it up myself, because I was curious (I had heard that leather was a byproduct of the meat industry previously in life, and while it seemed like it could be plausible, I hadn't searched further, so I wasn't predisposed to one definitive answer or another): https://ecocult.com/is-leather-truly-a-byproduct-of-the-meat-industry/
According to this 1992 analysis, cow skins represented 6% to 8% of an American cow’s total cow’s value. When prices for cow hides go up, profit margins improve, and ranchers are incentivized to buy and raise more cattle. OK, great! If we all wear less leather, then there will be fewer cows bought, right? And if we all wear no leather, than the beef industry goes out of business!

Actually, we can see what happens when we all wear less leather, because it’s already happened. Demand for leather has been plummeting in the past decade, as consumers switch from leather shoes to synthetic footwear. Leather prices have also dropped. Unfortunately, global demand for beef has been rising. So, now with high demand for beef, and low demand for the hides, there is a huge glut of cow hides.
I know, I know...I hadn't heard of "ecocult" either before just now, and while an outlet with that name almost certainly contains heavy bias...I encourage everyone interested to not write it off on that basis alone, and fully read the sourcing.

It's only one outlet, so grain of salt...but it's something.
 
I don’t think I’m going to use a case ever again honestly lol.

I was always a believer in thin cases and/or Apple’s cases, but the phone is just too nice and feels so good for me to cover it up.

I’m also not clumsy so I’m not worried about damage.

I did like using the leather Apple case though. and silicone.
 
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Please just call it polyurethane, vinyl, or plastic...not 'vegan leather.' This is an environmentally negative choice.

Not necessarily.

Regardless, I was just following the convention of the other commenters. It doesn’t really matter what it’s called.
 
There definitely is a lot of disinformation on the subject of sustainability and materials. I don't have specific links to offer you, but I read a very long expose on the history and origin of the mythology that recycling would solve our plastic-waste problems. One of the main proponents, who by the way, was fully funded by the major petroleum companies(!), realized about 30 years too late that while yes, it is technically possible to recycle and reuse plastics, it is far too expensive to do so. It is infinitely cheaper to continue producing new plastics, which continues to produce a profit stream for the petroleum products industry and related manufacturers. Additionally, new or 'virgin' plastics have better qualities and can be used in higher quality products than anything recycled.

In terms of real world data, look at the fact that the majority of US based plastic waste was previously shipped to China, where it was incinerated or buried. The amount of waste was so huge, and such an environmental problem for China, that they stopped accepting further waste from the west. Which brings us to our current state in the USA, where most plastics which are separated for recycling are actually sent to landfills. An extremely small percentage of plastic waste is recycled and reused/remanufactured into other products. And it is more expensive to use recycled plastic than to use new 'virgin' plastic. So there is no financial advantage for companies that might want to use old plastics, other than marketing. The amounts are not enough to make more than a negligible impact on the state of the mountains of plastic waste we produce daily.

As to alternative milks, I have no problem with any of them (other than that the majority in-market are not particularly nutritious, being mostly water, sugar, colorants, gums, 'natural flavorings', a too-small amount of protein, and...unhealthy oils...).
We have used the terms 'milk' for the sap or macerated products of various nuts and seeds for decades, and these are natural products (in some cases).

Plastic 'leather' seems to me to be another term meant to disguise the unpleasant materials source of these petroleum-textiles. Which is what they really are.
I completely agree with you about recycling. I would call it an almost complete disappointment too.

A little perspective, I was legal counsel to a medium size city, and I've seen first hand the actual recycling and cost of doing so. Couple that with most people not knowing what is actually recyclable, its a burden on both the individual and the cities, towns, municipalities, etc. I like the idea or recycling but the plastic recycling just doesn't seem to work.

As a purely anecdotal example, my father was meticulous about recycling. As with everything he does, he takes it to the extreme.

Anything that contained plastic or paper would go in the recycling bin. We had many conversations about how this is not the right way to do it. I had to get literature from the town and show him how little of what he is doing is actually considered a recyclable product. AND, that he is doing more harm by mixing that stuff with products that are actually considered recyclable.

Some places will fine you for improper recycling. NYC will fine you if you put pizza boxes in the paper recycling. My ex-GF learned that the hard way when her thick skulled cousin refused to throw out the oil stained pizza boxes, to the tune of $25 dollar fines a few times a month. 🥲

I never liked animal milk. The whole idea was weird to me. Couple that with the antibiotics and hormones given to the animals that pass through into the milk. No Thank You!

I find nut "milks" suitable for my needs. An occasional bowl of cereal or into a smoothie. I agree that it doesn't substitute protein unless its pea or soy milk.


Sustainability should be at the forefront of everyone's mind on this population growing planet. But that doesn't mean the same thing to everyone and that's OK. However, it should be true and not a sales gimmick.
 
I believe this to be true. We never got refreshed leather case colors in the spring for the current 14 pros. Which was such a bummer.
 
Good. I have one and it is not good. No protection, little grip, easily damaged. It’s like a list of everything you do not want in a case.
 
I always buy the brown leather one. Hopefully we do get a replacement and I hope they don’t charge leather prices for vegan leather.
 
Please explain how this is better for the environment because I am honestly curious. The leather they are using is a byproduct of the meat industry aka, the cow was already killed for meat. If the leather isn't used from the cow, it goes into the trash.
….the case includes plastics as the frame, making the case is another thing…how do you make one? well you electricity, you need water probably, you will need raw materials for the mould, what about the packaging? so it is not just the leather we are talking here unless you directly asked the butchers to hand over the skins and wrap your phone with it. ;)
 
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If they come up with a nice alternative that's vegan and just as good or better, that would be great for both the environment and animal welfare.

I've had positive experiences with Apple leather cases, negative ones with silicone (cracking, chipping, etc.) over the years.

Mostly though, I've been amazed that throughout its environmental and ethical discussions, Apple hasn't brought up animal rights issues. I'd love to see them talk at length about how vegan leather reduces carbon emissions and doesn't require animals to die, and transition all phone cases, watch bands (even Hermes), MagSafe wallet, etc. to vegan leather. Prices can stay the same and profit margins would probably rise. This could set up a premium vegan leather interior for Apple Car too.

All leather is vegan leather. Cows don’t eat meat or meat byproducts.

Unless you mean leather made from living things that identify as vegan, let’s just call it what it is and say imitation leather or artificial leather.

I know it doesn’t have that warm and fuzzy about it but it’s far more accurate.
 
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