“Isn't leather unsustainable because it takes animal lives away?”
I sometimes hear people say that. But is it really true?
Take a moment to imagine. How many times did you eat meat this past week? And how many times did you buy products made from its skin, hair, or horns during that time?
Real leather is a byproduct of meat production.
Cow and sheep leather are “by-products” that are always produced during the meat-producing process. Much of the leather available on the market is actually made from these by-products. At least andu amet's leather is 100% a by-product of meat production.
If it is not used, it will end up being wasted in large quantities.
In Ethiopia, as much as 30% of raw skin was once discarded（Reserchgate). This represents a loss of valuable resources and also causes environmental pollution associated with disposal.
Modern people simply consume too much meat, so we believe efforts to reduce that intake are necessary. However, when we take a life, we must use every part—not just the meat, but the skin, hair, horns, and everything else—with care and respect. That, we believe, is the true meaning of “ethical” and a sustainable choice.
Environmental impact of synthetic leather and vegan leather
People often assume that “not using animals = sustainable,” but most synthetic leather is made from petroleum-based materials (PU or PVC). Synthetic leather tends to be less durable than natural leather, leading to increased waste. Furthermore, petroleum-based plastics take a long time to decompose and can contribute to microplastic pollution.
IT might not actually be real eco-leather?
Terms like “vegan leather,” “upcycled leather,” and “eco-leather” are popping up everywhere lately. While you might see such descriptions on synthetic leather bags or jackets, most of them technically don't meet the definitions.
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“Leather”: Animal hides tanned to preserve their fibrous structure (JIS standard)
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“Eco-Leather”: Natural leather tanned with reduced environmental impact（一般社団法人日本皮革産業連合会）
In other words, the terms “eco-leather” and ‘leather’ can only be used for genuine leather. Materials derived from plants like apples, mushrooms, or pineapples, or materials made by compacting leather scraps, cannot formally be called “○○ leather.”
Misleading expressions can also lead to “greenwashing” (pretending to be eco-friendly), so the National Consumer Affairs Center and the Consumer Affairs Agency have issued warnings. However, because there are no penalties, the current situation is that abuse for marketing purposes continues.
Not “how you feel,” but “knowing the facts”
In Europe and America, vegan leather was once popular as an ethical choice, but in recent years, there has been a noticeable return to genuine leather.
To make ethical choices, it's important to understand not only how things make us feel, but also the background of materials and the manufacturing process. I'd be delighted if this column could serve as one such starting point.
