Step aside plastic buttons — there’s a new material in town
Strong, durable, low impact and beautiful — and best of all, completely natural and plastic-free.
Introducing corozo, also known as vegetable ivory.
What is corozo?
Corozo comes from the tagua palm trees, which grow abundantly in the Amazon rainforest.
The nuts are harvested only once they are fully ripe and have naturally fallen to the ground, allowing the palms to continue growing and producing season after season
Once processed, the nuts reveal a smooth, dense, ivory-like material with a soft creamy appearance — which is why corozo is often referred to as vegetable ivory.
How are the nuts processed?
The general processing stages include:
- drying
- clean
- carved into button blanks
- polished
- dyed
Why is corozo used for buttons?
Corozo has been used for buttons for over a century thanks to its unique combination of strength, beauty and natural dye affinity.
It is hard-wearing yet smooth to the touch, making it both practical and aesthetically desirable.
The benefits of corozo buttons
Corozo buttons offer a rare balance of durability, beauty and sustainability.
- Extremely durable – strong enough for everyday garments and long-term wear
- Smooth and tactile – comfortable and refined to the touch
- Rich colour potential – naturally porous, allowing dyes to absorb deeply for vibrant, long-lasting colour
- Lower impact dyeing – absorbs dye efficiently, reducing water and resource use
- Naturally beautiful – subtle grain adds texture and individuality to each button
- End-of-life friendly – can be repurposed and will not contribute to microplastic pollution
These qualities make corozo especially popular in shirting, knitwear, and handmade or design-led garments where material choice matters.
A better button for modern making
While all materials carry some environmental footprint, corozo is widely considered a lower-impact alternative to synthetic plastic buttons due to its renewable, plant-based origin and biodegradability.
Once you've seen and felt the difference for yourself we are convinced that you will, like us, be true Corozo Converts.
Explore our range of corozo buttons — including one of the widest selections of 11mm shirt buttons in New Zealand!
All of our corozo buttons are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, giving added confidence in material safety and quality.
