Vegan leather is a kind and more sustainable alternative to real leather products that come from animals. But do you know why? Learn about more about how the leather industry wreaks havoc on animals, the environment and the people who make it and discover some creative alternatives!
Leather can be made from a variety of animal skins, goats, pigs, sheep, even dogs and cats, but most leather comes from cows. Not even newborn calves are safe from this industry. The second most popular type of hyde comes from sheep skin. 
Why Are Cows Any Different?
Like humans, cows form close friendships and choose to spend much of their time with a handful of chosen individuals. They even like to sleep close to their families. Female cows are wonderful and loving mothers. They have been known to walk for miles to find their calves. They are also curious, playful and inquisitive animals who like to investigate everything.
The majority of cows raised for meat or dairy are raised in factory farm operations, where leather also comes from. In these large industrial operations, cows are raised in confinement, often living in filth and on concrete. They’re fed unnatural diets and slaughtered at an extremely young age. Cows in these conditions are deprived of proper care and the right to be their playful, nurturing selves.
cows are kind, sensitive animals
The Social Concerns
Most leather materials are produced in countries where animal cruelty regulation and standards are very low. For years there has even been controversy around the mislabeling of leather materials imported from China. Leathers that were supposed to be cow skin were actually dog and cat skins.
The process of turning skin into leather requires using extremely harsh chemicals including formaldehyde and coal-tar derivatives to keep it from decomposing. Tanneries employ both adults and young children who are subjected to these harsh chemicals for days (and years) and often suffer chronic and permanent health issues as a result including cancer, skin diseases and disfigured limbs.
Leather is Not Kind to The Earth
Raising animals used to make leather also has a negative impact on the environment. Factory farms use huge amounts of land, feed, water and fossil fuels. While many think of leather as an “all-natural” material, the dangerous chemicals used end up damaging entire ecosystems and polluting water banks.
A great resource for learning more about the negative impact this system has on the planet is a Pulitzer Prize Winning documentary short, The Toxic Price of Leather.
Vegan Leather Alternatives
Originally, PU (polyurethane) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) based leather was mostly petroleum-based, but companies like Miomojo are working to find better solutions to reduce the negative impact this material can have on the environment. One solution is water-based and solvent-free polyurethane leather.
The vegan leather industry has made great strides in creating new fashionable products that are sustainable and cruelty-free so you can look good AND feel good. Vegan leather alternatives are now being made from fruits, plants, recycled rubber, cotton, trees, mushrooms, paper, cork and even coffee!
Recycled Plastics & Natural Fibers
Companies, like our partners at Miomojo, produce cruelty-free products that also support and protect the environment by using a mix of natural fibers, recycled materials and faux leather. Miomojo takes it one step further and will donate 10% of each purchase to Barn Sanctuary.
Fruit
Fruit based materials such as apples, orange peels and banana skins are being turned into clothing and accessories. Piñatex uses cellulose fibers extracted from pineapple leaves. The leaves are a byproduct of harvesting the fruit, so no additional resources are needed to produce the material, which means farmers receive an additional source of income.
MuSkin Mushroom Leather
MuSkin mushroom leather can be grown to the size and shape you need for any given design. It does need to be waterproofed, but this can be done in a simple, non-chemical way, making MuSkin completely biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Wine Leather
Winemaking by-products like grape peels and seeds can be used to make a leather-like product. It comes in the natural hues of wine and can be printed to look like any kind of animal skin you like.
Coffee
Leather made from coffee has a natural brown color and can have different textures. Also, it smells amazing!
Cactus
Recently two entrepreneurs from Mexico created a leather alternative using the prickly-pear cactus, which can be found in abundance in the country and doesn’t require any water to grow.
Cork
Cork is one of the most eco friendly materials around. Cork forests help prevent deforestation and also protect endangered species. It is naturally waterproof and easily recycled.
Recycled Rubber
Rubber, such as the kind used in inner tubes, has a similar texture and density to leather. It can be used to make a variety of products from bags to belts to bracelets.
Waxed Cotton
Organic waxed cotton is a great substitute for leather, especially patent leather which normally involves a lot of chemicals. The material is pliable, waterproof, and unlike leather, easily washable.
It’s easier than ever to make conscious consumer purchases for the sake of this planet and the people and animals on it. With so many ethical and eco-conscious fashion choices, you can look good while doing good.