You may not have given a second thought to the materials used to make everyday items such as phone covers, cardholders, and wallets, but research has shown that materials such as leather and plastics are among the most environmentally harmful materials in the world.
The leather industry alone has sparked great controversy as researchers have begun to learn the harmful effects of leather goods. Animal leather becomes contaminated during processing with a heavy load of toxic, carcinogenic material that results in a range of diseases and allergic conditions in adults and children.
iPhone cases are made mostly of plastic that is not biodegradable. These plastics remain in landfill sites for years, and some make their way to the ocean where they contaminate natural ecosystems and cause harm to fish and other ocean dwellers.
We indeed have the power to save our environment through the choices we make every day. By choosing cork products instead of synthetic or animal leather, or plastic products, you are doing your part to prevent damage to the environment.
15:21 – The Tale of a Missed Train
15:21 is a Stockholm-based company that is inspired by nature and dedicated to serving the environment. It blends Scandinavian design with natural accents to produce eco-friendly options for products made from various leather, plastic, and other synthetic materials.
The founder of 15:21 was inspired by the idea for the company when he stood at a train station at exactly 15:21, watching his missed train leave the train station. It was then that he was reminded of how routine his life had become. He decided to begin working on an old project again. It was then that 15:21 was born.
15:21 is a company that provides vegan-friendly alternatives to various accessories such as iPhone cases, passports and cardholders, and wallets. It supports the Portuguese economy by purchasing their cork. The cork exported from Portugal accounts for more than fifty percent of the world’s cork, forming a major part of the economy of the country.
Why Cork?
Cork comes from the bark layer of cork oak trees. It is harvested without having to cut down or cause damage to the tree. This makes cork a sustainable and eco-friendly material. It also has a wide range of uses, including soundproofing, floor tiles, furniture, yoga mats, and other accessories such as wallets, handbags, and even shoes.
When the weather gets warm, the bark of the cork oak tree expands. This makes it easy for harvesters to remove it using axes. This harvesting process is economical because it provides laborers with jobs and does not cause any damage to the tree. One cork tree can provide up to 300 years of cork harvests. The cork is harvested every nine years, so it can take some time before investors see a profit from their cork sales.
Another great thing about cork is that there is minimal wastage. Virgin cork harvested from a cork oak tree for the first time may not produce the best wine cork, but the material is still ground and used in the production of many other products.
The cork industry accounts for one of the greatest exports for Portugal. This industry has been thriving as a sustainable alternative to leather and other materials. Cork expands in warm weather, which makes it much easier to harvest. No machines are used in the harvesting of cork, which means that no greenhouse gases are emitted during harvesting.
Dropped your cork product in the water? No problem. Cork is a buoyant material that is resistant to water and is lightweight. It is also soft and should not cause any damage to your new iPhone should you choose this material for a phone case. Cork also has a good grip, so you do not have to worry about dropping your wallet or cardholder while paying for groceries.
Why You Should Care About the Environment
We are sure that you must have heard pleas to save the environment time and time again. Many believe that it does not affect them. However, we interact with the natural environment daily through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the ground that we walk on. If we do not commit to making smarter choices that minimize the effects on the environment, our generation and the generations that follow should face the consequences of our actions.
Animal Leather
Traditional leather is essentially animal skin, making it an absolute no for vegans. It promotes the idea that wearing animals is acceptable and goes against pretty much everything vegans hold fast to. While there are so many other materials that provide the same, if not better, results than traditional leather.
Another truth that may be difficult to swallow is that the process of refining leather leads to the incorporation of large amounts of toxins into the final product. To turn animal skin into what we know as leather requires a great deal of energy and chemicals.
The skin is the human body’s largest organ. It is easier for toxins to get into your body via your skin than through your mouth. Exposure to toxins from leather products has proven to have devastating effects, even causing cancer and numerous allergic conditions such as contact dermatitis.
Plastic Phone Cases
On average, 1,5 billion phone cases are discarded a year. They end up in landfill sites and in the oceans where they remain for several years. The truth is that plastics that are traditionally used for phone cases are not biodegradable.
An ideal alternative to plastic biodegrades well without leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and does not break down into microplastics. Cork is one such material. It is completely natural (it is the bark of a tree), so biodegrades completely, without contaminating the soil. It is the best sustainable alternative to plastic.
Most plastic products end up in the sea, where they suffocate, entangle, and kill marine life. Some larger ocean dwellers such as whales and large fish mistake pieces of plastic for food. They then ingest plastic, which provides no nourishment or nutrients, and they ultimately die of starvation.
Research has proven that microplastics that are ingested by marine life become food for unsuspecting humans in the form of seafood. The implications of the ingestion of these microplastics include increased inflammatory diseases, disruption of the gut bacteria, and the distribution of toxins throughout the body.
The consequences of the use of materials such as animal leather and plastic are dire. People are being encouraged every day to turn to natural alternatives.
The Three Best Cork Products
Three of the best cork accessories produced by 15:21 are as follows:
- iPhone Cork Case
- Cork Cardholder
- Cork Wallet
Exclusive Discount
Use coupon code GETVEGAN for a 15% discount on their store.
iPhone Cork Case
15:21 iPhone Cork Cases are handcrafted. They combine functionality with an eco-friendly design. These modern phone cases have a slim design and are available for a wide range of iPhones. They are highly durable and come with a four-year warranty. Highly durable cork provides outstanding protection for expensive phones such as iPhones. These cases do not interfere with the normal functioning of the iPhone in any way and are scratch-resistant. They also support wireless charging.
The iPhone cork case is available for the following iPhones:
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6, 7, or 8 Plus
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
15:21’s Cork Cardholder
Cork cardholders are stylish accompaniments that are made from Portuguese cork of the finest quality and durable white canvas. The cardholders come with a two-year warranty and are highly durable and scratch-resistant. They are incredibly easy to clean with soap and water.
They have four pockets to hold your cards, with a middle pocket to hold any miscellaneous items such as till slips or cash. With cork leather, you need not worry about allergies due to toxic materials from synthetic or animal leather, making these cardholders hypo-allergenic, so you can use them guilt-free.
When you think about cork, you may at first believe that anything made from cork would crumble easily. This could not be further from the truth. The great thing about these cork wallets is that they are resistant to water, and float when placed in water. They are also flame-retardant for added protection, so you never have to worry about them getting damaged.
The Cork Wallet
The cork wallet is another bestseller by 15:21. Just like the cardholder, it is handmade with only the finest Portuguese cork and white canvas. It has six card slots and one additional slot for miscellaneous items. It has a good grip, so you never have to worry about it falling out of your pocket, taking your money with it.
It is scratch-resistant, flame-retardant, and comes with a two-year warranty. Because it is made with vegan cork leather, it is waterproof and floats on water. The wallet is durable and sturdy and does not lose its shape over time like wallets made from synthetic leather. It was also handmade and can be cleaned easily with water and soap, for the ultimate eco-friendly, long-lasting wallet.
Final Thoughts
If you are searching for a vegan-friendly alternative to plastic and or animal leather, cork accessories and products are just for you. 15:21 is an environmentally conscious online store that provides the best quality cork accessories made from only the finest Portuguese cork. The company has dedicated its time and effort to making environmentally friendly products easily accessible to people worldwide.
The best and most popular products made by 15:21 are the iPhone cork case, the cork cardholder, and the cork wallet. All these accessories come with lengthy warranties, displaying the company’s trust in its products. They are made from the best quality cork imported directly from Portugal.
