Whether you like it or hate it, you’ve got to admit, leather products aren’t good for the environment. In fact, according to PETA, the global leather industry kills more than a billion animals for their skin and hides.

However, what’s even more worrying is the impact leather has on the environment. Not only the animal from which leather is derived consumes a ton of water in its lifetime, but after deriving the skin, the treatment process introduces it with a ton of chemicals. This not only is harmful to the environment but also makes the leather item non-biodegradable.

Desserto

Even the faux leather that many vegans love using (thinking that it isn’t derived after killing an animal) is actually made from plastic that doesn’t really solve the waste problem. However, two entrepreneurs -- Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, have found something that truly hits at the right spot.

The company’s called Adriano Di Marti and they’ve formulated a new technique to create a fabric using cactus leaves called Desserto. Cactus, known for its rugged nature is quite hard and thick and pointy, however, when fully processed, it not only feels like actual leather, but since it is made from cactus -- a plant that can grow in the desert with minimum moisture -- it doesn’t consume as much water.





Moreover, they’ve adopted natural dyes for processing the leather that doesn’t really impact the environment while making the material long for as long as a decade. The fabric is available in a series of colours to suit your style. And since it is made from a plant, it is partially biodegradable.

What’s the best, however, is that even though it’s organic and eco-friendly, the cactus-leather is nearly the same price as the real leather. The creators have been able to fabricate car seats, bags, shoes and even apparels using the material.

What do you feel about this cactus leather. Would you make the switch if you had a choice? Let us know in the comments below.