Talk of the town : Vegan leather in Hong Kong
【明報專訊】Humans have been making leather products for thousands of years. With the increasing awareness of animal rights in recent years, products made from animal skins have become controversial or are even being boycotted. Some firms have begun to look for alternatives of leather to make handbags, wallets and shoes.
A local firm, MM Limited, has invented a leather solely made from artificial or plant products instead of animal skins. It is animal-friendly and eco-friendly, as well as biodegradable.
Since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016, there has been a trend towards sustainable development, which has influenced the whole leather industry. While there were some alternatives to leather made from animal skin, they were not purely made from plant products, but also mixed with some polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are not biodegradable.
The director of MM Limited, Kwan, used paper and cotton to invent a vegan leather which is totally biodegradable. In order to ensure the quality and comply with the idea of sustainable development, the paper and cotton used has been certified as high quality and environmentally friendly.
How can the use of animal-made leather harm animals and environment?
In order to match the needs of consumers and maximise profits, some animals, such as crocodiles, sheep and cattle, are raised and killed to make products. Besides, the tanning process of making leather also involves toxic chemicals which cause serious air, soil and water pollution. However, to achieve sustainable goals of development, it takes two to tango to solve the problem.
■Grammar booster
Two to tango
The idiom is used to say that two people or groups, and not just one, are responsible for something that has happened.
E.g. The unemployed always blame the government for failing bring jobs to the economy, but it generally takes two to tango.
■Gear up
The vegan leather is made from polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).(True/ False)
(Answer on next text)
■Glossary
awareness (n) 意識
boycott (v) 杯葛
biodegradable (adj) 可生物降解的
maximise (v) 最大化
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第364期]
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