A considerable advancement has been made in creating a solution to combat the global problem of ivory poaching. This improvement offers new ecofriendly alternatives to traditional ivory often sourced from poached elephants and it comes with added benefits. Synthetic ivory was initially developed to replace the ivory veneers of piano keys and it has been designed to closely mimic the chemistry of real ivory.
This new material offers a greener alternative to traditional plastics and can help in addressing the global microplastic problem. At the same time, the ivory substitute could disrupt the illegal ivory trade, protecting elephant populations worldwide.
Along with synthetic ivory, nature offers its own solution – in the form of vegetable ivory or tagua. This plant based alternative, discovered by Spanish botanists in the 1700’s, is derived from a palm plant native to Northwestern South America. A tagua palm produces “ivory nuts” that can be polished and carved into beautiful jewelry, buttons, or decorative items. In fact, a single tagua palm can produce as much “vegetable ivory” in one year as an African elephant can in its lifetime, making it a sustainable and cruelty free alternative.
While synthetic and vegetable ivory may not entirely replace traditional ivory use in every cultural context, their invention is a significant step towards reducing reliance on animal-based ivory.
