Vegan Leather or Real Leather, what’s the difference and which do I choose?
I want to live a sustainable life and the products I choose need to reflect that. I’d like to think that I can make a difference by making small changes and if many people make these small changes together we can make a big difference. I’m not naive enough to think I can change the habits of many or that the changes I make in my life will have an impact on industrial practices but I can make choices and in a small way protect the environment where I live.
I want the products I sell at Diamond Parrot Accessory Emporium to provide sustainable options for our clients and so when choosing the AW2022 Collection I revisited the Vegan Leather versus Real Leather platform.
Leather is a by-product of the food industry. Animals are not raised to make leather. 99% of the cattle, sheep, and goats that provide hides and skin for leather goods are raised for the food industry. As long as humans consume meat and dairy products, there will be leftover hides and skins and we have a responsibility to recycle these skins into leather rather than waste them and send them into a landfill.
I do understand that many choose not to use animal products at all, they make food choices and refrain from consuming meat or use products which are animal based or tested on animals. Lots of us are moving to a more vegetarian or vegan diet for health and it isn’t easy since many of us have grown up in an environment where meat and dairy products have been plentiful and affordable.
However I have my concerns when I see products being marketed as vegan friendly. Immediately I tend to question the reality of this statement and have decided to look a bit further into what the science is behind these claims. I noticed some items have PETA logos and some don’t.
According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the largest animal rights organisation in the world) “Vegan leather is often made from polyurethane, a polymer that can be made to order for any designer's whim. It can also be made from innovative and sustainable materials such as pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, other fruit waste, and recycled plastic”
Is Vegan leather and faux leather are the same thing? Essentially both are a fake 'leather' material that does not use animal skin but is made from synthetics like plastic and natural materials such as cork. PETA certifies goods and allows businesses to use their logo if they meet the right standards, it allows pet-friendly companies to visually highlight their vegan fashion items as well as their commitment to the animals.
Vegan leather mimics real leather, but it's produced using artificial or plant-based materials. In many instances vegan leather is produced with PVC and polyurethane. These materials are plastic and petroleum-based, so not exactly the most eco-friendly alternative. Vegan leather tends to be less durable than real leather. PU and PVC—still have a lifespan of roughly two to five years. When you factor in the lower cost and the animal rights considerations, most vegans consider this durable enough.
But is real leather eco-friendly? The market is changing and eco-friendly, chrome-free leather tanneries that recycle and purify wastewater are increasing. While they work towards environmentally friendly processes, we still need to make use of the by-products of the meat industry rather than sending them to landfill.
Leather is a quality, long lasting and durable material it has been used for hundreds of years for saddlery, sandals, shoes and other well used items. The leather industry is a highly regulated industry with responsible value chain partners manufacturing leather under tightly controlled auditing programs that are supportive to raise the standard of modern leather manufacturing. A real leather product is a quality durable item and will last for years if cared for properly.
So at the minute, I’m happy to sell and promote a selection of both real leather and vegan leather products. Customers will be able to choose which options suit their lifestyle and budget. Indeed variety is the spice of life!
Other sources: https://www.smitzoon.com; https://www.peta.org;