We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Beyond the hide: Exploring leather alternatives
Summary
This review paper looks at the hidden environmental costs of leather, from the pollution and water use of traditional animal leather to the "vegan leather" alternatives made from plastic (like PU leather), which don't biodegrade and can shed microplastics over time. The takeaway: plant-based leathers made from materials like mushrooms, pineapple leaves, or cactus may offer a more sustainable middle ground, avoiding both animal cruelty and long-term plastic pollution that can eventually make its way into our water, food, and bodies.
The fashion industry being the most revenue generating is also the most environmentally damaging industry in the world. Except for the quantity of textile waste generated each fashion season; the amount of waste produced during the processing of the textile materials is also a huge problem. Leather industry being a branch of the apparel industry is the most polluting. The process of turning a putrescibil material into a non-putrescibil product through various chemical treatments is a polluting and environmentally degrading process. The cattle industry has the largest carbon, land and water footprint compared to any of its contemporary industry. Synthetic alternatives for animal leather are plastic based derived from fossil fuels such as polyurethane leather also known as PU leather. Being a non-biodegradable instead of taking away from the environment degradation rather adds to it. Though these auxiliaries have the benefit of sparing innocent animals from slaughter but the problem of pollution and harm to the environment still persists. Bio-leather or plant-based leather provides solution to this problem.