Craftsmanship meets sustainability
The brand name "tototo" is named after the word "toto" , "toto" means "fish" in Japanese. Then added "to" after "toto". "to" is a preposition "with" in Japanese. "With fish", we coexist to create a more abundant future.
We want to solve the current Problems of the Leather Industry by upcycling fish skin.
Problem 1
Fish waste
Japanese people have been eating fish since ancient times, and today sushi and sashimi are world-famous. However, a significant portion of fish, including skins and guts, is discarded more than we might imagine. While approximately 10% of these discarded parts are processed into fishmeal for use as fertilizer or animal feed, the remaining 90% is incinerated as waste. We collect fish skins from fish markets and seafood processing companies, yet over one ton of fish skins are still discarded every month.
Problem 2
"Chrome" is used for leather processing.
To transform the animal's skin into a durable and supple leather, we perform a task called "tanning." This work is mainly carried out in two ways: chrome tanning or tannin tanning.
「Chrome tanned" is a processing method that uses a chemical ingredient called chromium. It is currently available as it is cheap and convenient80％Leather products are said to be chrome tanned. However, when chrome tanned leather is incinerated,Hexavalent chromium is a harmful substancewill generate.
「Tannin tanning" uses tannins, a striking ingredient found in familiar things such as green tea and wine to make the skin strong. Tototo uses mimoza tannins. Because it uses plant-derived ingredients,Environmentally friendly processing methodis.
When making fish leather, tototo believes that it should not be applied naturally.Uses only vegetable tanninsI'm doing it.
Problem 3
There are animals killed to make leather products
You may not be aware of this in general, but most of the high-quality leather crocodile leather and fur used in clothes are grown and produced by raising animals solely to use leather as a material.
In recent years, voices have been opposed to this current situation, and more brands in the fashion industry are declaring that they will abolish reptile leather and fur from the perspective of animal welfare and environmental protection.
We are destroying the environment. Before we know it.
Up until now, many leather products have been pursuing cheaper and better for us, and have created more environmentally-impacted products. Of course, I don't think it's wrong to offer better products at a lower price. However, now that we are full of a variety of things, we believe that we should not continue to create the same things as before.
Tototo will continue to take on the challenge of sustainable manufacturing, thinking about the future of people and the ocean.