"Ecological" Leather

Ecological leather production site in Maguary on the banks of the Tapajos River in Brazil's Amazonian state of Para, Sept. 3, 2005. The imitation leather is made by a group of artisans from the Maguary community as a way to earn a living from the forest while preserving it at the same time. Began in 1995, the project uses natural rubber from the seringueira trees of the amazon forest to make the "leather." The liquid rubber is spread onto cotton cloth, forming the leather. After it is dry, the material is used to make bags and other items.(AustralFoto/Douglas Engle)

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