- Apple may not produce leather cases for iPhone 15.
- It can use sustainable “vegan leather”.
- Leather has environmental concerns and is not suitable for a green-minded company like Apple.
Apple may not be producing leather cases for the upcoming iPhone 15, and now is the time.
Apple is so passionate about environmental and ethical issues like privacy, green energy, and protecting users from unsolicited tracking and data theft that the company still sells leather goods, especially leather cases that are essentially disposable, This seems strange. Duan Rui, an Apple rumor watcher with a proven track record, says Apple will eventually stop using leather to make iPhone cases, at least for this model. Whether or not the rumors are true, it's time for Apple to take action. The good news is, there are great options out there.
"When I choose clothing for a project, when I see non-leather clothing and accessories, I research their origin and sustainability," fashion stylist Nuria Gregori told Lifewire. “I didn’t want to replace leather with something that wasn’t better.”
Apple's leather cases have always been great. They're generally lighter, feel better, are more durable, and get better over time than their silicone counterparts made by Apple. Silicone sleeves, by contrast, tend to clump in the corners and become greasy if you handle them after applying moisturizer, but still retain their grip to the point where it's difficult to get them in or out of your pants pockets.
Leather is pretty much a byproduct of the meat industry, so, like shoes, leather cases are less guilt-inducing than buying and eating real meat. But in this case, that's not the point.
Apple regularly touts its green credentials, whether it's the use of recycled aluminum in its production processes or the fact that its corporate and retail operations run on 100% renewable electricity. Environmental conscience is about more than mitigating the climate emergency. It’s about sustainability, not using unnecessary resources, even if it’s less convenient or more expensive, and about ethical behavior.
It's easy to blame a company that's doing a good job for not doing a good enough job. We complain about the local Kilometer Zero organic ice cream shop that still uses single-use straws in its artisanal vanilla cola floats, ignoring the amount of plastic packaging used in all the Amazon orders in our homes. But just because Apple is on the right path doesn't mean it can get away with things like animal exploitation.
Leather production is not only ethically but also environmentally problematic. From deforestation caused by growing animal feed to the toxic substances used in the tanning process, leather has a huge impact on the environment. This effect can be reduced by using less harmful chemicals, but it's better not to participate at all.
If they came up with a good vegan alternative that was just as good or better, that would be great for the environment and animal welfare.
We've long been "in love" with fake leather products, from textured PVC car seats that burn exposed skin after being parked in the sun, to convincing faux leather or "vegan leather" wallets, wallets and interiors that are quickly It gets worn rather than aged and improved like the real thing. Leather alternatives can also be environmentally suspect, as many are made from petroleum products: they are essentially plastic.
The good news is there are other options. For example, fruit leather comes from plants: pineapple leather, mushroom leather, and even grape and cork leather. Of course, these aren't real leather, but unlike plastic leather, they biodegrade quickly and use by-products from vegetable production or sustainable, renewable fruit crops.
While you could probably make a good case for the Eames leather chair and ottoman so that it outlasts you, it's hard to justify using leather for a case that's going to be thrown away when you replace your phone of. Even if these fruit leathers aren't as wear-resistant as real leather, that doesn't matter. They just need to be as durable as your phone and look good while in use.
Faux leathers of all kinds have gotten better. Fashion brands are even making extremely passable leather jackets, which is probably the hardest to do because of the way the leather hangs and creases. Some products, such as faux sheepskin or the fur collar lining of a denim jacket, look almost indistinguishable from the real thing while having the advantage of being washable.
"It would be great for the environment and animal welfare if they came up with a good vegan alternative that was just as good or even better," iPhone user Parzival said in a MacRumors forum thread that Lifewire participated in.
If anyone can develop a sustainable alternative to leather, it's Apple, a company known for its materials expertise. Yes, Apple leather already exists, although it can contain up to 50% plastic.
