IS VEGAN LEATHER ACTUALLY KIND?

Ditch your pleather jacket and opt for a trip to Goodwill instead.

Vegan Leather Vs. Thrifted Leather

We’re all familiar with the buttery feel of an antiqued leather jacket. The gently worn sleeves tell stories of Friday night football games through notes of wood and faint tobacco smoke. This fashion staple has completed outfits for decades. But what about when wearing animal products is deemed environmentally irresponsible?

The animal agriculture industry depletes the environment through deforestation and pollution. Meat production creates 14.5% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. In Denmark, over 19 million minks are annually farmed for their fur, releasing 8,000 pounds of ammonia into the atmosphere. These alarming statistics motivate many to ditch meat and go vegan, ridding their lives of all animal products. But does this mean that swapping in faux leather is better for the environment?

“Environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect.” --Mohith Agadi

Meet PU.

PU, also known as polyurethane, is the most common leather alternative produced at a mass level. Polyvinyl chloride (aka PVC leather) is another manmade leather substitute. To some, the copycat feel and attractive sheen that these materials provide may sound desirable until the environmental impacts of vegan leather are explored.

Unlike authentic leather, the alternative options are plastic and non-biodegradable. Both pose the threat of micro-plastic pollution and release harmful toxins into the environment during production. These toxins continue to release as the fabric wears down in landfills for years to come once it has been disposed of.

Twins, or Distant Cousins?

Not only is fake leather arguably just as harmful as the real stuff, but the fabric pales in comparison when it comes to function. Manmade leather loses the quality of the finish within just a few months, easily tarnishing and cracking. Fake leather contributes to the mass consumption epidemic in our society and supports the idea of throwaway fashion.

The production of these materials may be cheaper than genuine leather, but what is the true cost of allowing these toxins into our everyday life? The toxic nature of fake leather is not only destructive to the planet, but also to our health. Introducing microplastics into our daily routine allows for the disruption of our hormones and opens the door to increased health risks regarding our bodily system functions.

What is an Animal Lover To Do?

Experts recommend second-hand leather due to its longer shelf life. A classic leather jacket poses a more sustainable option that’s worth the investment. After the real leather has served its purpose for decades, the fabric is biodegradable and won’t become a building block to the landfills that plague the planet. Thrifting leather allows for the fabric to be used to its full potential and serve its purpose for decades to come. Next time manmade leather is marketed as the more sustainable option, consider the threat that plastics pose to our planet and our bodies.