The leather industry has long been a mainstay of the American economy, supplying fashion and footwear manufacturers with durable material for clothing, accessories, and shoes. However, leather production is not without its environmental consequences.
The environmental impact of leather production in the U.S. and why companies are shifting to leather alternatives such as vegan leather is a topic of growing importance, as the world moves towards more sustainable practices. As such, it is important to consider both the environmental costs of producing leather and why durable vegan leather is becoming a more popular and sustainable alternative.
Leather production requires massive amounts of resources including water, grazing land or feed crops, and fossil fuels. This has meant that in the past half-century, 70 percent of the Amazon rainforest has been cleared for these purposes, leading to a dramatic loss of habitat for species and contributing substantially to climate change by eliminating trees that absorb carbon dioxide.
In addition to belching out especially potent greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide, which contribute to global warming, factory farms have also been confirmed by the EPA as responsible for 70 percent of water pollution in the U.S. It is estimated that animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gases than all transportation systems combined.
What is vegan leather made out of?
Vegan leather is a catchall term for any kind of leather that does not come from an animal. Alternative materials such as natural, plant-derived sources including pineapple leaves, apples, cactuses, coconuts, cork, mushrooms, and bio-oils from cereal crops can be used to make vegan leathers. Today’s modern vegan leathers are much more advanced and are capable of mimicking the look and feel of real animal leather.
Unlike faux leather which is derived from petrochemicals, vegan leather is completely free from animal products and environmentally friendly. It is biodegradable and made of organic matter that offers many benefits over traditional animal skins such as durability and water resistance. Furthermore, it uses significantly less energy to produce than its animal counterpart while reducing the burden upon our environment.
Faux or synthetic leather lacks the tactile qualities of real animal skin; it feels rigid in comparison with vegan materials which have been designed to provide greater flexibility due to their plant-based origins. In comparison with real animal leather, vegan varieties don’t require the same maintenance as they lack the level of fragility seen in traditional hides. The combination of strength and flex ensures that vegan leather holds up better against regular wear making them perfect for high-traffic areas such as shoes or bags where real animal skin may be prone to scratches or tears over time.
In addition to offering superior alternative materials for fashion accessories and clothing items, vegan leather also offers a range of benefits for interior design purposes; providing beautiful wall coverings or upholstery solutions that can last longer than traditional fabrics thanks to their waterproof nature. With advancements in manufacturing technology ensuring higher levels of quality than ever before even luxury brands are beginning to incorporate these eco-friendly products into their lines.
Overall there has been a huge surge in interest toward replacing traditional animal skin products with sustainable alternatives like vegan leathers which offer many advantages over conventional hides in terms of both style and sustainability whilst still maintaining a high standard of quality that competes with its natural counterparts.
Plant-based vs Synthetic Vegan Leather
Vegan leather versus synthetic leather is a common debate today in the fashion industry; both materials are created to provide an alternative to real animal hide. While vegan leather is considered much more ethical and sustainable, there is still some confusion between the two materials. This discussion will focus on their similarities and differences so that we can better understand vegan leather versus synthetic leather.
Synthetic plastic-based materials have been used in place of real animal hides for decades, referred to as fake or synthetic leathers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU). PVC is usually found in lower quality products and is difficult to recycle due to its stiff nature, while PU is more flexible giving it a more realistic look often referred to as ‘pleather’.
The benefits of these plastics are cost-effective production, high durability, and good protection against water and other liquids, but unfortunately, they are made out of non-renewable petroleum-based plastics which severely affect the environment when released into landfills or oceans.
On the other hand, vegan leathers are plant or natural-based materials that replace animal hides with alternatives such as cork, apple skins, pineapple leaves, mushrooms, and even recycled plastic bottles! Some of these fabrics might still require a coat of plastic to make them water resistant or give them a bit of shine/luster; however, they remain much more environmentally friendly than alternative non-renewable resources.
One thing that should be mentioned is that very few vegan leathers exist on the market right now; most fall under the umbrella term ‘synthetic’ due to a lack of true availability or demand for ‘vegan’ products. This means that although you may be buying something labeled ‘vegan’ if it doesn’t explicitly state ‘plant-based’ then it could still contain some level of petroleum-derived material in it.
While vegan leather offers more environmental benefits than synthetic plastic leather due to its lack of use of petrochemicals and animal products in production; there are very few vegan alternatives available when compared to the vast range of synthetics currently on offer in the market. PU-based synthetics tend to be cheaper than their counterparts which makes them attractive for budget-conscious buyers while also providing them with an aesthetically pleasing product that closely resembles real animal hide.
When assessing which material is best for your needs and wants—real animal hide vs vegan vs synthetic—it is important to consider not only price but also environmental impact. For example, some synthetic plastics may be cheaper short-term but their long-term environmental impacts far outweigh any short-term gains; whereas plant-based alternatives may seem costly initially but will save money AND the planet in years to come!
So, Is Vegan Leather Eco-Friendly?
Vegan leather is an animal-free, cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather, made out of sustainable materials. The most common vegan leathers are derived from plants and vegetables, such as cork, pineapple leaves, and even mushrooms. However, there are synthetic vegan leathers made through polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are not always environmentally friendly.
Vegan leather often has a longer lifespan than animal-based leather due to the use of vegetable tanning methods. Vegetable tanning is a natural process that utilizes the tannins found in plants and tree bark to tan hides like cowhide into organic materials.
This practice is not only more sustainable but also produces fewer emissions than animal hide tanning. Furthermore, vegetable tanning requires fewer toxic chemicals than chemical tanning processes used for traditional leather production.
Another advantage of vegan leather is its sustainability compared to animal hide production and processing. Animal hide production requires raising animals on farms or slaughtering them for their skins, creating a large number of waste products that need to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
In contrast, vegan leather production generally uses waste materials that would otherwise be discarded as trash or burned off into the atmosphere as pollutants. Additionally, some vegan leather products can be recycled at the end of their life cycle, reducing further environmental impact during manufacturing and disposal processes.
However, there are some downsides to vegan leather as well. Many types of synthetic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) are often used in the manufacturing process, some of which may contain toxic chemicals that could harm air quality and human health if released into the atmosphere during use or disposal. Additionally, these materials are difficult to recycle compared to other fabrics such as cotton or hemp and can take up valuable landfill space if not disposed of properly.
In conclusion, vegan leather provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional animal hides while being highly durable with minimal environmental impact throughout its lifetime when produced sustainably. Vegetable tanning methods create less pollution from chemical toxins while using upcycled materials such as cork or pineapple leaves can reduce the amount of waste created from manufacturing processes altogether.
Therefore, it’s clear that there are many reasons why choosing vegan options when it comes to fashion choices can help protect the environment for future generations.
How Durable is Vegan Leather?
It has become increasingly clear in recent years that consumers are more concerned than ever with the environmental impacts of their consumption. This has led to many companies rethinking their use of materials, favoring eco-friendly options like vegan leather. But a central concern is whether these materials are as durable as traditional leathers such as genuine leather and PU leather.
Real leather is known for its superior durability. Made from animal hides, it is strong and can stand up to wear and tear over time. However, it requires a lot of maintenance, both in terms of treating the material and avoiding exposure to water or other elements that could damage the material. Synthetic plastic leather does not compare in terms of longevity; it tends to crack and discolor much faster than real animal hide.
In contrast, vegan leather products offer a more sustainable alternative without sacrificing durability. Many experts have come out in favor of this type of product because it leverages organic plant-based materials combined with non-toxic chemicals that make the material strong enough to last for a long time when cared for properly.
As an example, vegetable-tanned products usually guarantee decades or even centuries of use if they’re treated correctly due to the natural tanning process which uses only plant-based ingredients. Vegan leather also often looks much better than synthetic plastic leather due to its better texture and design capabilities
However, although some types of vegan leather are very durable there are still very few vegan leathers that can hold up against genuine or PU (polyurethane) leather in terms of lifespan and resistance over time.
Best Vegan Leather Picks from Amazon
Looking for vegan leather products that are durable, sustainable, and affordable? Here are some of our picks from Amazon:
Fossil Women’s Kier Vegan Cactus Leather Crossbody Purse Handbag
Fossil has been a leader in the fashion world since 1984, and its commitment to responsible manufacturing is shown in its new line of cactus leather products. Made from a sustainable and animal-friendly alternative to traditional leather, these vegan leather goods are durable yet soft like cloth.
Unlike other fake leathers, cactus leather is an all-natural material that derives from harvesting the leaves of mature cacti plants. This manufacturing process does not require any harmful chemicals or pesticides and does not involve any harm to animals, making it an environmentally friendly option that supports sustainability.
Not only this but its production also requires minimal water usage and energy savings due to the use of solar drying during the tanning process.
The Reveal Store Cork Leather iPhone Case
The Reveal Store Cork Leather iPhone Case is a perfect leather alternative that is 100% vegan and sustainable. Crafted with eco-friendly cork wood, this case is not only lightweight and sleek but also provides superior protection for your phone.
The cork wood exterior is natural, renewable, and shock-absorbing, while the inner molding is made of TPU rubber to give an extra layer of protection and easy-to-press button covers. It also contains access to all ports and speakers as well as a raised lip to help protect the screen.
Not only is this case vegan friendly and cruelty-free, but it’s also incredibly stylish with its natural texture that provides a protective non-slip grip. Its slim fit makes it the ideal choice for your pocket or wallet.
And you won’t have to worry about synthetic vegan leather options not comparing in style, quality, or sustainability because this cork case takes care of all those needs! Plus, every purchase from Reveal Store helps plant trees around the world which helps restore, protect and sustain ecosystems for future generations.
Final Thoughts
With the heightened awareness of animal welfare and environmentalism in recent years, people are increasingly looking for more sustainable materials. vegan leather is one such alternative to traditional animal hides that has become popular for its sustainability. But some might wonder: Is vegan leather as durable?
The answer is that it depends on the type! While some vegan leathers aren’t quite as strong as their counterparts made from real animal hide, others are more resilient. With proper care, many types of vegan leather can last for decades. Additionally, since they’re usually made with organic plant-based materials and non-toxic chemicals, most types of vegan leather don’t damage the environment as traditional animal hides do. So when it comes to choosing between eco-friendly and sustainable options, vegan leather is a front runner.