3 eco-friendly wallets from Japan to get this spring

Chilly days are still here, yet spring has already arrived on the calendar. Perhaps the warm sunshine makes more people interested in spring items. A wallet, an everyday essential, is something you may keep an eye on.

Why should wallets be purchased in spring?

According to Feng Shui, which originated in China and respects the energies of heaven, humans, and earth, mnemonics symbolizing good fortune help raise fortune. Two of the following similar-sounding words in Japanese are defined as bringing good fortune: ‘Spring’ and ‘Rising’ and ‘Sprouting the tree shoots in spring’ and ‘Filling the wallets’.

When should you start to use a new wallet?

In response to purchasing a new wallet, it is recommended to do so in spring on the calendar, between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. There are some days established as symbols of good fortune in Japan, so it would be perfect to select a date and embark on a new day with the new item.

3 eco-friendly wallet brands originating in Japan

Many more brands in Japan have become aware of our planet and started to create their items as sustainably as possible without compromising design and functionality.

Aasha

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Cork-based wallets produced by Aasha are crafted with vegan and ethical minds. Their corks are harvested from the bark of cork trees aging 25 years old. The periodic harvesting is sustainable because the natural material is regenerated every 9 years. It is lightweight—about half that of traditional leathers. Additionally, their wallets are retouched, so they are durable and last a long time.

Their brand was named with a meaning of ‘hope’ in the Hindu language, integrating the words: About, Alternative, Style, Health, Arts—to make a positive change in society.

PINEMORE

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PINEMORE takes advantage of the abandoned leaves of pineapples as invaluable material. Their products contribute not merely to reducing CO2 emissions, which are generated in the process of incineration, but also to creating bountiful lives for those who work in the pineapple farms.

Their ethical-minded items are crafted from their hope: to be a person or company that is able to leave something good for future generations along with their vision of living with the environment.

RERIGO

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Damaged apples have been upgraded by RERIGO. Despite being a nature-derived material, apple leathers function like other human-made synthetic materials.

Their hope is valuing the damaged apples raised with great care and making them a treasure in Japan again. Their mission is delivered to their company name: Re and Rigo came from ‘Restore’ and ‘Ringo’, meaning apple in Japanese. Based on their concepts, the eco-friendly products were developed in collaboration with apple farms and craftsmanship.

How to release your old wallet sustainably

It is crucial to let your old wallet go without burdening the environment. Here are some tips:

• Use services, such as taking unnecessary wallets in the shops.
• Sell through Mercari or thrift shops.

If you are thinking to exchange your wallet, the spring is the best season. Select eco-friendly wallets, like those introduced above, to make you and our planet happier.