Leather: A Paradox of Environmental Friendly Benefits and Unethical Killing?

As a significant part of ethical living, everyone should think about the impacts of wearing leather on the environment. Although leather is a by-product of the meat industry that helps reduce wastage of animal hides, its adversities to the environment should be considered before concluding that they are environmentally friendly. If one approaches leather using the above notion, then they might be making the killing of animals more worthwhile. However, it cannot be disregarded that making leather from animal hides ensures that there is minimal waste to the environment since the hides do not go to waste. Presently, the number of cows killed to provide leather needed for handbags, wallets, and jackets is approximately 290 million every year. The number is set to rise to about 430 million cows by 2025. Many people see leather as an enduring age-old sign of good quality. Everybody sees leather jacket, shoes, and handbags as a cute looking and fashion product, in this case, nobody thinks about the cows or even the environment. It is essential to understand that use of animal hides to make leather is not the main problem; the problem arises from the chemicals used to manufacture these leather products and the disposal of wastes from leather industries which several effects to the producer, the wearer, and the environment. The essay shall discuss the importance of replacing the luxury brands made from leather with products made from fake leather basing all the concerns on environmental conservation.

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Currently, people still challenge a distended industry that crows high hopes and high-profit margins. The growing need for luxury has attributed the success of leather brands such as Gucci and Hermes. The notion of flaunting people's wealth in the form of the extravagant attires is the leading promoter to blame for fashion design houses resorting animal skin to a debauched touch. This practice regularly carries an environmental burden that has become heavy to bear in recent years. There are three primary methods of tanning animal hides, which include the use of chemicals such as chromium, aldehyde, and vegetable tanning, which poses dangers to the environment. The toxic mixture of chemicals used that ranges from a compound formaldehyde and coal-tar products to cyanide-based toxins that are drained directly to water sources cause great danger to the aquatic life, as well as human life due to the use of water that is contaminated by chemicals. Water pollution can be a source of respiratory complications, nerve damage, and childbirth defects. Moreover, it kills fish and plants. Protecting the animals, saving the rare to find ecosystem, and coming up with ways that mitigate water pollution are the main arguments facing the use of leather. Therefore it is essential to think about the natural environment before the dangers caused by the production of these luxury outfits since the world requires better ways of production in an eco-conscious world that predicts a better environment for the future generations.

The new generation millennial shoppers have spurred interests to the latest designs of synthetic leather. Although they might feel as if they are missing out on fashion, fashion houses such as Stella McCartney, Gunas New York, and Vivienne Westwood are boycotting the use of leather entirely. They are choosing the synthetic leather and faux substitutes to design their trendy, seasonal fittings. The change has been accredited to the engagement in a more conservative work done by these industries. People are gaining knowledge about the effects of leather products. The risks associated with universal leather industries are to do with abusing of animal safety, which dramatically affects the ecosystem and destructs the fundamental nature of the planet. The truth of the matter is that people have embraced the switch from leather products to fake leather products which have been indicated by the economic growth of the faux leather industries such as Stella McCartney fashion industry. Therefore to reduce the risks associated with the leather production process, everybody needs to shift to the use of fake leather products which have been modified to provide aesthetic and luxurious products.

According to various reports, fake leather is other than being less harmful to the environment in the current fashion world; it is something that excites. Therefore it can be considered as the most appropriate game changer in the field of fashion. The benefits associated with its use include reduced need for water during manufacture. This helps in water conservation bearing in mind that it is essential to conserve water. They also help to reduce the chemical spillage and makes massive affirmative changes in eco-footprints. Although there is no validation that the use of Vegan leather is 100% beneficial, there is no validation that animal leather are beneficial in the fashion industry. However, it is preferable since animal leather is the most environmentally toxic textile in the fashion industry.

There are various types of fake leather with each type varying in its eco-friendliness. Therefore, the ethical choices of the consumer are endless. Vegan leather mainly sources from plant-based polymers such as the new natural leather that is made natural fibers and oils. An example of natural leather is the pineapple leather (pinatex) that is made from an innovative pineapple leave fibers. The use of pinatex means more business for pineapple farmers since the leaves that previously went to waste can now be commercialized by producing leather from it. They can also be in the form of MuSkin whose variations range from materials such as corks, waxed cotton, waxed canvas, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They are the most commonly used and recognized by the fashion and lifestyle manufacturers. However, Polyurethane is a widely used form of synthetic leather products. However, the use of PVC and polyurethane poses a danger to the environment due to the release of toxic substances to the environment. These chemicals include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), ethylene dichloride, mercury, furans, and vinyl chloride dioxins that are harmful to the environment. However, if the use of PVC and polyurethane are hazardous to the environment, there are many other alternatives to vegan leather that are very beneficial to the environment. It is positive to know that contemporary manufacturers are always developing new eco-friendly leather textiles to the market, which has led to the advancement of vegan leather industries. Vegan leather has been tied to the recent advancements in the improvements of the textile technology. These new technologies reduce the environmental impacts of leather products on the environment.

Comparison between Vegan and Real Leather

While comparing vegan and, real leather, quality, and durability are the key things to look at. In addition to that, it is essential to consider the cost, source, and the maintenance of these products.

Source

Vegan leather is artificially made from vegetarian sources to imitate the look of real leather. It is made using a plastic base that is treated with wax, and dye or polyurethane to give it a texture and color. On the other hand, genuine leather is made from animal hides, which are generally a way of utilizing waste from the meat industry.

Quality

Vegan leather is of a lower quality compared to real leather. Vegan leather peels off over time while genuine leather tolerates the effects of water and does not peel off or crack easily. More so genuine leather looks better with age.

Durability

The durability of vegan leather depends on the type of material used. However, they do not last for a lifetime but can last for a relatively more prolonged period depending on maintenance. On the other hand, genuine leather lasts for a very long period; it can last for generations without cracking or wrinkling if adequately maintained.

Maintenance

Fake leather, mostly from PVC and polyurethane, are maintained by washing using clean water, soap, alcohol, and bleach. Genuine leather is maintained by washing using water and soap.

Comparison between Hermes Products and Stella McCartney's

Stella McCartney's products

Stella McCarney - Flo small shoulder bag

The image above is of great luxury, Flo small shoulder bag that is environmentally friendly since it does not contain PVC and its lining is made of nylon that has been recycled. The cost of this bag is relatively lower than that of the products made by other luxury products companies. The durability of this bag depends on the maintenance but can last for a more extended period. However, due to the continuous advancements in the production of quality products by this company, what is the need for leather that lasts for long? Vegan leather products made by Stella's company are eco-friendly and luxurious though their cost is pocket-friendly.

Hermes products

Hermes products are made from pure leather, for instance, the Hermes Kelly bags.

Hermes - The Kelly Bag

These bags are made from pure leather, last for long, and are classy. Their quality is relatively high similar to the cost. However, the dangers posed to the environment during the processing of the leather used to make the bags are severe to human health.

From the images of the two products from different companies indicated above, one identifies that there is a mild distinction between the two types of handbags. However, the Flo small shoulder bag looks more aesthetic, and it conserves the environment. The main focus on the use of vegan leather is to provide eco-friendly products that also give the luxury demanded by the millennials in the 21st century. McCartney's products have modifiable difference with the Hermes, an example of the luxurious products. However, their environmental friendliness comes from the use of vegan leather that has less effect on the environment. More importantly, the leather used to make the above handbags are free from polyvinyl chloride toxins that may cause an impact on the environment.

On the other hand, Hermes uses genuine leather that is derived from animal hides. The procedure followed in manufacturing the leather results to the release of dangerous chemicals such as aldehyde and mercury. Strong chemicals must be used to remove the fur from the hide and prevent it from rotting. These chemicals are directly drained to water reservoirs, and they affect aquatic life. For instance, when mercury compounds from leather companies are exhausted in water, it enters in the body of fish, which is later used as a human source of food. Thus, the mercury gets into the body of the human being through ingestion, and it has various effects on health, which might include even death to some extent. More so, the hide is derived from animals, and therefore, the lives of animals are lost, and they are essential in maintaining the balance in the eco-system. Thus, nature is distracted by the use of animal products, which makes use of other forms of leather more advantageous.

Therefore, the use of vegan products from companies such as Stella McCartney's has advantages to the general happiness of human and other organisms. The vegan leather used to make these products is derived from natural sources; this means that fewer chemicals are released to the environment during the manufacture of the faux leather used. Vegan leather decomposes faster in soil. This means that it has fewer polythene effects on the land and allows. Leather takes a longer time to decompose. Thus, it acts as polythene that prevents natural infiltration of water in the ground for a longer time as compared to vegan leather that decomposes faster. Vegan leather has fewer effects on underground organisms as compared to genuine leather.

In conclusion, vegan leather is mor...