Leather is used in all kinds of ways, but one of the most common is in the clothing industry. Leather footwear, clothing, and accessories are largely ingrained in culture and have been as far back as you can find. Nothing can take away the importance or the commonality of leather in the clothing industry, but over the past few decades, some have turned away from it and even sounded an alarm. There has been a push to highlight the cruelty in the leather industry.
Join us as we look at some of the most common myths related to the leather industry and whether they hold any truth. Many industries have myths that turn people away; for example, if you’re skeptical about gambling online but search to find out if there are any casinos with $200 no deposit bonus and 200 free spins real money offers, you’ll discover that these myths are nothing more than myths. So, let’s get down to it and pull back the curtain on the leather industry.
Myth – Animal Cruelty Is Tied to the Leather Industry
We will jump right in with the biggest and probably the most common sentiment you’ll hear from people opposed to the leather industry. There is a belief that the leather industry is tied to animal cruelty. However, the answer isn’t entirely clear-cut because it comes down to that company’s sourcing practices and ethical standards.
There are many brands and companies out there that follow sustainable processes and humane practices. This means the answer is nuanced, and it is the responsibility of consumers to make informed choices. If you want to purchase leather clothing or accessories, look into how the company procures its leather.
Myth – All Leathers Are the Same In Terms of Sourcing
Here’s another common myth that people may believe. There is the idea that animals are destroyed strictly for their hides to make leather from. Again, the answer is nuanced. Yes, what’s known as exotic leather involves the animal being killed solely for its hide. Some examples include crocodiles, snakes, and ostrich leather. These animals are typically bred specifically to use their skins, so animal rights activists (justifiably) raise serious concerns about this approach.
Other options, such as cow leather, are usually obtained as a byproduct of the meat industry. In other words, the animal has already been used for meat, and the skins can then be used for leather. This helps ensure nothing goes to waste, and it’s a more ethical approach.
Myth – Leather Is Wasteful Since It Can’t Be Recycled or Upcycled
There is no nuance with this myth; it is just categorically false. If you want to pick a fabric that is long-lasting, durable, and can be both recycled and upcycled, leather is the way to go. You can get creative and use leather items to make new things, or it can be combined with other pieces of leather to make a patchwork type of item. You can even use composite materials in conjunction with leather.
When cared for properly, leather clothing can last years, even decades. That means you could easily hand down an item or resell it. This transforms it into a sustainable choice. It’s not uncommon to find vintage leather in second-hand and consignment stores. This can be a huge score.
You can take this argument one step further and look at the increase in fast fashion. Discarded fast fashion pieces are ending up in landfills around the world at an alarming rate. The problem is that these clothing items are usually made with synthetic fabric.
Synthetic fabric is cheaper, which is why manufacturers use them, but they are also filled with microplastics. Common synthetic fabrics like acrylic, polyester, and nylon don’t biodegrade. Instead, these fabrics continue to accumulate, contributing to increasing waste.
Myth – Vegan Leather Is Better for the Environment
Vegan leather has become a popular trend in the past couple of decades as people have tried to move away from using real leather. While it can look and feel great, and even be hard to tell the difference from a distance, it shouldn’t be assumed that vegan leather is automatically better for the environment.
While no animals need to be killed for vegan leather, there are some cons. There are two types of vegan leather, namely PU and PVC. The PU version requires fossil fuels for its production, while the PVC version uses many chemicals that contribute to environmental pollution. Neither of these can be seen as a good thing. It is also not as durable as leather, so it means you’ll need to replace the clothing more often. To top it off, vegan leather isn’t completely biodegradable even though it has natural materials in it.
The assumption that making the switch to vegan leather will be better for the environment and nature doesn’t necessarily hold. There are still many downsides.
Leather Ethics Aren’t Black and White
People often pose the general question of whether using leather is ethical, but that’s simplifying the entire industry. Much of it comes down to the company itself and whether it’s adhering to humane and sustainable practices. If you look at leather versus other fabrics, leather can be recycled and upcycled, meaning less waste overall. In the end, deciding whether to buy leather products will always be a personal decision, but there are many factors to be mindful of.