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Apple Announces 'FineWoven' Material, Will No Longer Make Leather Accessories

"Sustainability" is a buzzword that makes people feel good. If Apple was truly serious about it, they'd make their devices repairable and maintainable. They'll make the body of their computers out of material that will last well over 100 years, but the internals that will last perhaps 20 years, but that they'll only provide software support for 10.
 
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jjpiv said:
Methane emissions are terrible for our collective future. That's not to mention the amount of water and land required to sustain cattle that takes away from other species. The reasons you've listed show a preference for an industry that is fundamentally destructive. So, suggesting that a solution needs to be economical is ignorant of the costs associated with maintaining the status quo.
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When it comes to leather, all the "Alternatives" are petrochemical based.

I personally eat much less beef then previously, and I no longer fly anywhere.

I also keep my iPhones for 3 years now instead of 1.

I also believe that apple's approach to sustainability is still lipstick on a pig when it's based on ever increasing consumption. When they start trying to sell fewer products that last longer, I will take them at face value.
 
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NufSaid said:
Leather (and cows) are BENEFICIAL for the environment and Apple is just pushing this silly environmental and vegan lie.

I love the feel of leather - that said - I have enjoyed the ultra band I have.
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In no way are cows beneficial for the environment. It's silly to think that stopping the use of most leather is a net positive, but fine leather is a different story. The leather byproduct of cattle slaughter isn't used in the luxury products.
 
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robbietop said:
"We have decided to completely remove the option of choice. You will buy what we sell you or you'll have to go elsewhere! It saves the environment and is climate friendly."

Saves the environment = saves money, makes our investors pat themselves on the back in their megayachts and private jets.
Climate friendly = it still comes in a cardboard box you throw away immediately after opening.

Bummer, because Apple always had the best MagSafe cases. Double bummer, because this is just passing the buck onto third party leather accessory makers, who will now see their sales increase by factors of 10, spreading climate hazards thin so you can't see them. Nomad, BlackBrook, etc.
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This doesn't capture the whole picture. There is a generation of people willing to pay a premium for these magic words. Apple is a premium brand...they must cater to the generation that gets the feels from these announcements. The fact it saves them money is perfect gravy.
 
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Unfortunately the rumours were true but luckily I stocked up on leather bands before they deleted them from the store.
 
wlossw said:
When it comes to leather, all the "Alternatives" are petrochemical based.

I personally eat much less beef then previously, and I no longer fly anywhere.

I also keep my iPhones for 3 years now instead of 1.

I also believe that apple's approach to sustainability is still lipstick on a pig when it's based on ever increasing consumption. When they start trying to sell fewer products that last longer, I will take them at face value.
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I respect the changes you've made to your lifestyle. That said, the alternatives are not all petroleum-based.

thecircularlaboratory.com

'Plant-Based' Plastic Leathers: An Update, According to Science - The Circular Laboratory

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.
thecircularlaboratory.com

Green Dot Develops Compostable Synthetic Leather Made with its Terratek® Flex Bioplastic

Green Dot has developed a high-quality compostable synthetic leather material, combining an exquisitely soft touch with a lighter environmental footprint.
www.greendotbioplastics.com www.greendotbioplastics.com

Real change is happening and can accelerate when people approach it intentionally. It's understandable that people are jaded because of the prevalence of greenwashing. It also appears that even while Apple looks to sell greater quantities of all their products, they are doing more than other organizations of their scale.

The commitment to carbon neutrality and clean energy two decades prior to most of their contemporaries is fairly significant, isn't it?
 
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jimbobb24 said:
This doesn't capture the whole picture. There is a generation of people willing to pay a premium for these magic words. Apple is a premium brand...they must cater to the generation that gets the feels from these announcements. The fact it saves them money is perfect gravy.
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Yeah, I get that, but there are still plenty of people out there that like leather with a patina that ages over time and aren't gonna be fine with a science project.
 
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ScholarsInk said:
Leather is a form of recycling. (It’s surprising how many people don’t realize that even the highest and leathers are using the leftovers of agriculture.)

Pleather will always turn into pure waste and isn’t biodegradable. Awful move from Apple here, pandering to ignorance.
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Leather is treated with all kinds of crap, and doesn't degrade as quickly as you might think.
 
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wlossw said:
When it comes to leather, all the "Alternatives" are petrochemical based.

I personally eat much less beef then previously, and I no longer fly anywhere.

I also keep my iPhones for 3 years now instead of 1.

I also believe that apple's approach to sustainability is still lipstick on a pig when it's based on ever increasing consumption. When they start trying to sell fewer products that last longer, I will take them at face value.
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Not true. All new Volvos and Polestars will have the option of pine tree oil based fake leather seats.
 
groove-agent said:
The rumours were wrong thinking the band connection type was changing. I'm glad they were wrong because I have a lot of money invested in the current bands.

I don't know if the new Apple Watch has inspired me to upgrade. The "double tap" is useful, but not "must have" IMO.
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Those band rumors were talking about next year, Watch X.
 
Look like a velveteen. I might be wrong tho. Will definitely check those out as soon as they available in my country.
 
It’s virtue signaling that accomplishes absolutely nothing. Animals, whether you agree or not, are still going to be slaughtered for meat. The hide is a co-product of that, not a primary reason that the leather is harvested. In fact, less than 30% of animal hide is retained, and of that, only 1% makes it into leather products like watch bands.

Much ado about nothing, just like the cringeworthy “Mother Nature” bit, which fomented the farcical idea that Apple is somehow going to be “Carbon Neutral” ever, much less by 2030. The definition of carbon neutral, and the dumb statement that carbon will be completely eliminate is risible. We’d all die if CO2 magically disappeared.

I get it, you like animals, so do I, but Apple eliminating leather is low level pandering at best. Leather cases will still be available, the moo-moos will still be harvested, but with an unmeasurable, completely useless reduction in the use of hides that already are a byproduct of a different use.

Apple’s entire marketing and business model is based on ostentatious consumption. Only the most gullible buy into this nonesense.
 
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These are fine but if Apple tries to continue their nonsense premium pricing on what is now a product made out of recycled garbage, the only thing they're going to accomplish is pushing more users to the third party market.
 
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