By Dr. Ashley Holding Background The rise of plant-based leather alternatives appears unstoppable. There is growing interest in cruelty-free, plant-based and low carbon alternatives to conventional leather, especially as veganism and climate conscious buying become top priorities. Established media is picking up on it, too. Only a few days ago, The New York Times hosted …
Marketing Hype or Reality? Why Plant-and-Plastic Hybrids Are The Worst of Both Worlds
By Dr. Ashley Holding and Paula Lorenz Cactus leather. Apple leather. Coffee shoe foam. It seems like every other week, there is a new story praising the latest material that might be a revolutionary new alternative to some existing material, such as plastic or leather. There is a pattern that connects many of these innovations: …
Recycled Polyester and the Plastic Bottle Dilemma
By Paula Lorenz The Thing About Polyester One thing increasingly noticeable on the internet are ads for sustainable clothing made from recycled polyester. Many brands are now marketing recycled polyester clothes, from small ranges or capsule collections by bigger brands, to niche brands that have made this their USP. To the average, eco-conscious consumer this …
‘Plant-Based’ Bottles: A Solution to Plastic?
In a recent flurry of media articles, a revolutionary new project was announced to develop plant-based bottles by utilising a new material developed by Dutch company Avantium, which had the support of a number of high-profile brand partners including Carlsberg, Coca-Cola, Danone and L’Oréal. British media wondered if this new material was the end of plastic entirely or more specifically, the end of plastic bottles as we know them. So what is this new material, where does it come from, and how sustainable is it?
About Bioplastics And The Word ‘Biodegradable’
In this article, we will discuss how common beliefs around bioplastics and biodegradability often conflict with reality and what role they might play in a circular economy.