Palmetti, biodegradable vegan sandals
Dutch product design studio led by Tjeerd Veenhoven proudly presents its new line of vegan sandals: Palmetti. They are made of Palmleather, an organic and biodegradable material made from the shed bark of palm trees. To realize this project they started a crowdfunding campaign.
Both Palmetti and Palmleather were developed by Studio Tjeerd Veenhoven and are manufactured as close to their source as possible, in a small production unit located in Gadag, in the rural area of southern India.While Palmetti is a new product, Palmleather as a project exists for over two years. One of the many opportunities this upgraded material presents is the possibility to replace plastic, rubber or leather in numerous products such as book covers, mobile phone and tablet sleeves, bags and carriers, and of course, sandals.
Palmetti is not only ecologically but also socially responsible. The production unit in which they are manufactured is intentionally kept to a maximum of 30 workers to ensure proper working conditions as well as social cohesion. This small scale makes the unit work as a family, rather than as a group of line workers.
Palmetti and various other Palmleather products are currently only available through their crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. ‘We want to raise enough funds to build a second production unit in India. This will let us ensure proper working conditions for both units, without resorting to what sadly is common practice in India (overcrowded facilities, extremely low wages, forced unpaid overtime, etc.). That is simply no option for us.’ says Veenhoven.
With this campaign, we’re asking for your contribution to build a second artisanal production unit in India, maintaining the same firm commitment to the environment and the community with which we started working in that country. We believe a system free of sweatshops and greed is the right way to do business but we need your help to make this happen. In return for your collaboration you’ll be the first to receive a pair of Palmettis, a tablet sleeve or a personalized Palmleather bag made especially for this campaign. Thanks for helping the humble sandal make a difference!
Support this wonderful project.
