I asked first, thanks pal.Please share your sources for this leather being a byproduct of cows already killed for meat
I asked first, thanks pal.Please share your sources for this leather being a byproduct of cows already killed for meat
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.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.
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.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.
Right but all they have to do is toss the word vegan in front of it instead of plastic and their army backs it up.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.
Sucks you were being forced to buy the leather case before, would've been nice if you could have been allowed to simply not buy it.No more leatha? Good! Vegan takeova.
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/That’s the response I expected
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.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.
Please just call it polyurethane, vinyl, or plastic...not 'vegan leather.' This is an environmentally negative choice.
Do you know all the materials in your sneakers by chance?About time … I wonder if it will apply to aWatch too ?
You just described leather.
I completely agree with you about recycling. I would call it an almost complete disappointment too.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.
Do you know all the materials in your sneakers by chance?
They aren't, it is propaganda and unfortunately it is allowed to spread far and wide and is repeated endlessly.
….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.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.
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.
It'll likely cost more if anythingI always buy the brown leather one. Hopefully we do get a replacement and I hope they don’t charge leather prices for vegan leather.