A company from Rio Grande do South launched a line of vegan and biodegradable shoes that use fabric made from pineapple.
Since the creation is by Spanish designer Carmen Hijosa, Insecta Shoes guarantees that the material is as resistant as animal leather.
To make a square meter of pineapple “leather”, called Piñatex, then 480 leaves of the fruit are used, taken from about 20 pineapples.
About Piñatex
“Piñatex is flexible, absorbs prints and colors well, and can be easily sewn”, says Barbara Mattivy, founder of the company.
While traditional industries try to convince the world that we cannot replace polluting materials.
“As pineapple is the second most popular fruit in the world, its worldwide production generates 25 million tons of waste every year. What is considered 'garbage' can become a super-resistant and flexible fabric for your shoes”, explains Insecta Shoes
New companies continue to show that the truth could not be more diverse than that it is possible to use all types of sustainable material as an alternative for a wide variety of productions.
Shoes are sold from R$ 239. In addition to avoiding animal cruelty for leather production, harming the ecosystem.
Pineapple tissue uses a smaller amount of water and chemicals in production, it does not need extra fertilizers, it comes from a material that would otherwise be discarded.
However, Insecta Shoes also produces shoes by reusing vintage clothes and producing eco-friendly fabric made from recycled PET bottles.
The industry can play an active role in raising awareness and educating its consumers. Therefore, this market is growing, companies need to be attentive to decide.
Thus also helping to reduce food waste, being able to use those more mature or the remains of the food itself.
All shoes are produced in Rio Grande do Sul, thus two models made with Piñatex, sold for R$ 239 and 319 via internet.
