At $210, our Bag is an investment. Meet the materials that set it apart.
Our Process
From the moment we started developing the Lunch Kit four years ago, our hearts were set on a leather-like solution for maximal style at minimal environmental cost. But we soon realized the leather industry was stuck in a sustainability rut. The only materials available were (1) real leather, which harms animals and relies on toxic dying, or (2) synthetic PU/PVC leathers, which are essentially plastics that break down in two years and hurt the environment. Neither would do.
After a year of visiting fabric suppliers around the world, we discovered silicone leather, a tech material never before used by the fashion industry. Previously only used for upholstery on luxury yachts, silicone leather is the most sustainable leather out there. The reason it hasn’t been widely adopted is because of its exorbitant price: $25 per yard, making it 3x the cost of animal leather and 8x the cost of synthetic ones.
We said bon voyage to our margins and used it anyway. Why? Because we were determined to create a foodware solution that wasn’t only beautiful, but also high performance and eco-friendly – one that, unlike its neoprene and nylon counterparts, would never see the inside of a landfill.
All the benefits of silicone
Baking mats, baby bottles, and semiconductors all boast silicone as a star component and for good reason. Silicone is one of the most common elements found in nature, and is recognized for being sustainable, especially as an alternative to plastic.
Using a silicone product offsets the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions and energy used to produce it by a factor of 9. It’s made to withstand 10 years of storms and salt spray, so don’t even worry about spilling your balsamic.
We could go on, but we’ll sum it up with this list of benefits:
- Stain resistant
- Weather resistant
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Safe and nontoxic
- Chemical resistant
- Extreme temperature resistant
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
None of the negatives of other ‘leathers’
Silicon leather possesses all of silicone’s benefits, but in the form of a coated fabric. In this sense, it’s much like PVC (vinyl) and PU (polyurethane). Although that’s where the similarities end.
Unlike with PVC/PU fabrics, silicone leather is produced with advanced solvent-free technology, which guarantees ultra low VOC emissions in production and over the product’s lifespan. Producing it also uses less water, raw materials, and electricity than the alternatives. Not to brag, but silicone leather is made free of PVC, PU, plasticizers, phthalates, heavy metals, BPAs, formaldehyde, and PFCs. In other words, the stuff is clean!
The cherry on top? Silicone leather is compliant with RoHS, REACH, California Prop 65 and CAL01350. Not to mention it’s completely recyclable, unlike its ‘leather’ counterparts. And above all else, it’s proven to withstand 100+ years of lunch!
Finishing Touches
We can’t get enough of silicone leather, but we did have to use other materials in the construction of our Lunch Kit.
The exterior of our bag is made from a waterproof microfiber leather – not even our bag manufacturers could tell that it wasn’t leather! We used a custom zinc alloy for the straps and turnlock, guaranteed not to rust or break down with use overtime. And finally, to keep it all together, we included invisible magnets within the exterior of the bag to help it close and keep food securely inside.
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Behold, a bag made to be passed down generations. Sustainability, strength & style all taken care of so you can lunch with confidence and a clean conscience.
