Corozo buttons

Like with everything we do, we want to do it with as little impact on nature as possible. This includes decisions on a detail level, such as choosing what buttons to use in our collections. Most of our buttons are Corozo buttons which are made from Corozo nuts (seeds) from large fruits grown on Tagua palms found in the tropical forests of South America.

From nut to button - how are Corozo buttons made?
The fruits of the Tagua palm are composed of clusters of seeds which contain a whitish fluid (milky endosperm) that, after a couple of months, hardens. When the fruits ripen they fall to ground, where they’re gathered and dried. The outer husk is removed and its white, smooth inside - the hardened endosperm - is processed to make Corozo. Corozo is actually also called vegetable ivory due to its resemblance to animal ivory. Thereafter, the material (Corozo) is cut into small blanks which are later shaped into buttons.

Since harvesting Corozo seeds provides local community members with an income, the production also reduces the risk of deforestation. Therefore, Corozo-buttons are beneficial to both the people working and living in these areas as well as the planet since preserving the rainforest means that more CO₂ can be absorbed. Our Corozo buttons are OEKO TEX certified (14.HIN.51385), they do not contain any toxic chemicals or heavy metals, making this natural button biodegradable.

Pros and cons with Corozo buttons
Corozo buttons have a lot going for themselves, looking from a sustainability viewpoint. They are a natural product, biodegradable, and 100% vegan. Their biggest downside lies in the manufacturing process. After being cut, the buttons require washing for 24 hours. This is to remove any rough edges or imperfections.