It’s a material that has been around for thousands of years, so let me enlighten you on what is wrong with leather.

I loved leather in my younger years but never looked beyond the comfortable, fashionable accessories in my closet or explored where and how leather was made until I went vegan many years ago.

Leather is a material we see in many everyday products, from shoes and bags to jackets and furniture. These are the standard items, but it goes way beyond these. You’ll find it in all sorts of places, such as inside furniture, in cars, in the pet industry (which seems so ironic!) and in the music industry etc. For a more detailed list: Leather Products.

However, there’s a hidden side to leather that many people may need to be made aware of.

Let’s start with the first issue: cruelty to animals. Leather is made from the skin of animals, and many of these animals are raised specifically for their skin. The leather industry would like you to believe it is a byproduct of the meat industry; however, skins from meat slaughterhouses are only a small part of the overall amount needed.

These animals are often kept in cramped and dirty conditions, with little access to food, water, or proper medical care. In addition, they may be subjected to cruel practices such as tail docking, ear cropping, and branding. Slaughtering these animals for their skin can also be inhumane, with some animals being skinned alive or beaten to death.

But the cruelty doesn’t stop there. Once the skin is removed from the animal, it goes through a tanning process to turn it into leather. Tanning involves soaking the skin in a mixture of chemicals, including chromium, which is known to be toxic. Not only is this process dangerous for those who work in tanneries, but it also creates a lot of pollution. The chemicals used in tanning can contaminate water sources, pollute the air, and contribute to global warming.

In fact, the leather industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The World Bank estimates that the production of leather generates over 1.4 million tons of solid waste and 200,000 tons of chromium-laden liquid waste each year. This waste can have a devastating impact on the environment, contaminating soil, water, and air.

Watch a short documentary, The Dirty Truth Behind Luxury Leather.

So, what can we do about this hidden side of leather? One option is to avoid leather altogether and opt for synthetic materials.

New vegan alternatives are coming onto the market regularly. Shoes and bags made from pineapple, cactus, cork, mushroom, and more. Even wine! Well, wine waste, but it still sounds great!!

Just take care. Some vegan leather is made from PVC or PU; both come from the oil industry – so they are not the best if you’re changing for environmental reasons.

And speaking of the environment. Buying new vegan leather can be expensive (just as new leather can be), so consider recycling. The reason?

For a start, leather can take decades to decompose, and it seeps toxic chemicals into the ground.

Leather recycling is a more sustainable option that helps keep this material out of landfills and reduce its environmental impact. By recycling leather, we can conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Leather recycling can also help create new products and reduce the need for virgin materials, further minimizing the environmental impact of leather production. Therefore, we need to prioritize leather recycling over landfill disposal to protect the environment and create a more sustainable future.

Please note that many vegans prefer not to wear recycled leather as it is still an animal skin. Buying second-hand is very much a personal choice.

In conclusion, the hidden side of leather is a dark and troubling one. From the cruelty to animals to the pollution and dangers for those working in tanneries, the production of leather significantly impacts our environment and society. It’s up to all of us to make informed choices about the products we buy and support ethical and sustainable practices.

Until next time…