Rowland Have you ever thought of the impact of your leather?
Each item of clothing in your wardrobe has an effect on the world around us. From the communities who play a part in their creation to the threat of global warming, the production of clothing can be incredibly problematic.
One area of the industry that’s come into much debate over recent years is leather and its vegan counterpart. But what is vegan leather and should you be incorporating it into your wardrobe?
Read our in-depth guide to find out more.
The Problem With Leather
The leather industry is hugely unethical. But when buying a handbag or a pair of shoes, who thinks of cows? Or the people who had to make the material from the skin of animals?
The fact is, though, that you should be thinking about it. In the US alone, we currently kill around 39 million cows every year for the dairy, food, and clothing industries. But our desire for cows is destroying our planet.
Cows make up almost a third of all emissions from agriculture, contributing a huge amount to our planet’s climate change problem. There’s also the problem of production, with cows mistreated before workers skin them in front of each other and workers – including kids – being exposed to toxic chemicals when soaking the skins. The leather industry is unethical and full of problems, which leaves us with only one option: to stop using leather.
This is where vegan leather comes in, and it’s an alternative everyone should start using.
What is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is an alternative to leather from cows, made entirely without animals. It has the same properties as leather, is incredibly versatile, and is much better for the planet and people in it!
But what does vegan leather mean? It’s completely cruelty-free, meaning that there’s no harm to animals, or even use of animals, during the production. That means no animal products, animal testing, or anything of that kind.
Sustainable options are usually free of those nasty chemicals in animal leathers, too, making it safer to produce for the workers and for us to wear. With all those benefits, what’s not to love?
What is Vegan Leather Made Of?
A variety of materials are used to make vegan leather. It’s often made using polyurethane, which is a type of plastic. However, because plastic isn’t biodegradable and is polluting our planet, this usually isn’t the best option.
More sustainable versions of vegan leather use all kinds of natural objects, including cork, apple peels, mushrooms, and pineapple leaves. It can also be made from recycled plastics, putting the planets junk to good use and cleaning up or oceans. People have become very creative with how to make vegan leather, and they have much less of an impact on the planet as opposed to animal leathers.
So, next time you’re wondering “What is a vegan leather handbag made of?” the answer could be anything! It’s best to check with the designer if you’re interested, as each product can be unique.
How is Vegan Leather Made?
How vegan leather is made depends on the material it’s being made from. Let’s take a look at some of the different methods to get a better idea of what’s going on beneath the surface.
Polyurethane Vegan Leather
Polyurethane leather uses a base material, such as polyester or cotton. A later of polyurethane is then applied over the base material before designers treat it to replicate the look of animal leather. This is usually done with a textured roller, running it across the material until they achieve the desired finish.
Pineapple Vegan Leather
Pineapple leather is actually made out of the leaves of pineapples, which are normally thrown away after harvesting the fruit. It uses the fiber of the leaf to create a material, which is then usually coated with a small amount of polyurethane. Pineapple leather is a great way of turning waste material into something useable and even big brands are starting to incorporate it into their clothes.
MuSkin Leather
MuSkin is completely vegetable-based and makes an amazing leather alternative. It’s made from a type of fungus – or mushroom – known as Phellinus ellipsoideus. The fungus is harvested and the caps are removed to be treated.
During treating and processing, only natural materials such as wax are used. It turns the mushrooms into a length of materials that resembles animal leather and is incredibly versatile. It’s an alternative to leather that’s completely natural, 100% biodegradable, and eco-friendly.
How to Look After Vegan Leather
As there are so many options for vegan leather, the best way to care for it depends on what it is made from. When buying your vegan leather product, you should receive specific care instructions that you can follow, including how to clean it and keep it supple.
Making sure you look after your vegan leather will ensure it lasts for years to come, keeping you, the workers, and our planet safe.
Make the Switch to Vegan Leather
Now you know the answer to question “What is vegan leather?” It’s not difficult to see it’s the more ethical approach to fashion.
Animal leather is cruel to the cows it comes from and the workers involved, so make your everyday life a little kinder by switching to vegan leather products. The planet will thank you for it!
If you’d like to read more about the environment and innovations that are helping us live more harmoniously with our planet, be sure to check out more of the articles on our website. We have a wealth of information just waiting to be share!
