Vegan leather has gained press in the world of fashion and in the world of sustainability. Vegan leather is a new development that was created to create a more eco-friendly version of leather that can serve as an alternative for leather made from animals.
Vegan leather itself is an oxymoron since it is not leather at all. It is an ethical, sustainable, and cruelty-free way to create the look of leather without harming any animals. Many vegan leathers are made of polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane. These are both plant-based materials, and much more commonly referred to as "pleather". There were concerns regarding the sustainability of these materials because they are made of plastic, however, these materials are more sustainable options when it comes to leather goods, such as purses, belts, shoes, and anything else that may be made of leather.
Shifting to a more animal-friendly lifestyle can include shifting to a more plant-based diet, which can mean trying out vegetarian or veganism. This has been the proven way to lead a more sustainable lifestyle that will be the least damaging to the planet. The production of meat is an industry that causes immense pollution of water, air and this leads to global acidification and eutrophication.
Vegan leather will become an 85 billion dollar market worldwide by the year 2025. Fashion designer Stella McCartney is an animal and environmental rights activist. She has pledged her fashion lines to be a 100% vegetarian high-end fashion label which means they will not use any fur or leather in the production of their products. Most luxury fashion brands use real animal fur and real leather for the production of their products. This has been a huge cause of problems for the environment and for animals. Oftentimes animals will be treated poorly and breed for their leather or fur.
Many people are not aware but the production of "real" leather products retains the products with many heavy chemical treatments. If leather products were not chemically treated they would decompose naturally as animals would after they die. The alternative to this using man-made materials that would be more sustainable and a great alternative to the options that are available.
By taking these steps to create a new way to shop, it is a more mindful way to be aware of your actions and a great way to do this is by shopping from brands that are taking steps to be more proactive about saving the planet. Fashion brands should be transparent regarding their practices and the production of their items. The production of leather and fur goods has a history of showing the harm and mistreatment that many animals face in this industry. A few ways to lead a more sustainable and planet-friendly lifestyle are by switching to a plant-based lifestyle, making purchases from sustainable brands, and being aware of your carbon footprint and what you can do to reduce it. The vegan leather industry is a pioneer in the changes that will continue to happen throughout the future. It is our job to protect the planet that we live on.
Purnima Chopra
References
Sitzer, Carly. “What Is Vegan Leather — And Why Is It a Better Alternative?” Green Matters, 20 May 2019, www.greenmatters.com/p/what-is-vegan-leather.
Ofei, Michael. “What Is Vegan Leather? The Ultimate Guide.” The Minimalist Vegan, 2 Mar. 2021, theminimalistvegan.com/vegan-leather.
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