Microplastics vs. Natural Skin: The Invisible Battle for the Health of the Planet

Invisible Bullets: What Are Microplastics?

Imagine an army of 5 trillion particles (500 times the stars in the Milky Way!) invading the oceans, soil and even your plate of mussels. They are the microplastics : fragments smaller than 5mm, born from the decomposition of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon and PVC .
Every year, 500,000 tons of these particles end up in the oceans ( source: IUCN ), equivalent to:

• 50 billion straws

• Or 3 times the weight of the Milan Cathedral.

Ironically, they are so small they are invisible… but their impact is gigantic.

Why is fashion (almost) the queen of pollution?

Every wash of synthetic clothing releases up to 700,000 microfibers (University of Plymouth).

Buying a faux leather jacket? It's like shooting 1.5 million plastic bullets into the air that:

1. They poison the food chain (you find them in plankton, sea salt, beer).

2. They release toxins (phthalates, BPA) linked to hormonal damage.

3. They soak the soil for centuries (it takes up to 500 years to degrade!).

Natural Leather: The Biodegradable Hero You Didn't Expect

This is where the real leather , an ancient material that plays on the sustainability team:

• Zero microplastics : Being organic fiber, it does not fragment into toxic particles.

• 100% Biodegradable : Under suitable conditions, it decomposes into 20-50 years ( Leather Working Group ), returning to the land as fertilizer.

• Circular waste : Derived from by-products of the food industry (99% of bovine hides would be waste if not tanned).

"But doesn't tanning pollute?" You nailed it.
The answer is: It depends on how you do it .

The Green Revolution of Italian Tanneries

At Pelle Nuda Milano we only choose leathers worked with:
Vegetable tanning (chestnut, mimosa extracts):

• Eliminates heavy metals (such as chromium VI).

• Reduces the water impact of the 40% compared to traditional methods ( ICEC 2023 ).

LWG (Leather Working Group) certifications :

• Control of energy, waste and chemicals.

Artisanal production in the Marche :

• Short supply chain, zero material waste.

Shocking Curiosity (with a Touch of Optimism)

• Numbers that weigh :
  A free faux leather coat 1.5 kg of microplastics in 10 years.
  A real leather jacket? 0 kg .

• The green trick :
  Longevity is our secret weapon: a genuine leather bag that lasts 30+ years , while synthetic survives 2-3 seasons ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation ).

How to recognize a sustainable ally? 2 quick tests

1. Smell : Chemical smell? It's synthetic. Earthy scent? It's real leather.

2. Ask about the origin : European leather = strict environmental rules.

Our challenge: beauty without guilt

Our collections are designed for:

• Last a lifetime , reducing consumption.

• Age gracefully , don't become waste.

• Challenging Fast Fashion : Because true luxury is having a planet to carry your bag to tomorrow.

Choosing is a political (and stylistic) act

Opting for natural leather is not a return to the past, but a leap towards a possible future :

• For every synthetic bag Not bought, save money 1,500,000 microplastics .

• For every artisan you support, you promote an economy that transforms waste into art.

"The planet doesn't need lone heroes, but armies of conscious consumers. With the right bag."

Ready to join the green resistance?
Discover sustainable collections on our store or in our showroom in Corso di Porta Romana 128 in Milan.
Because true luxury is leaving only footprints… of style.