Eco-Friendly Leather: What Are The Sustainable Alternatives to Leather?

The fashion industry has long been notorious for its impact on the environment. Between greenwashing and supply chain controversies, the true impact of the fashion industry on the environment is hard to measure. Due to the various factors affecting the industry — from production, labor, and distribution to the lack of transparency from businesses and brands, estimates of the fashion industry's carbon impact range from 4% to 10% of overall global carbon emissions. To try and combat this, efforts such as recycling and resale have grown in recent years.

At the same time, some fashion brands are committed to pursuing more sustainable approaches to their products. One such approach is the increasing investment in sustainable fabrics such as eco-friendly leather alternatives. Companies are assessing raw material sourcing, processing of materials, and end-of-life prospects such as the disposal, recycling, or composting of these leather alternatives. Below, we'll look at some sustainable alternatives to leather:

Vegetable tanned leather

Vegan fashion brands and sustainable fashion labels have long worked on plant-based leather to provide consumers with more sustainable alternatives. Additionally, brands are also investing in the vegetable tanning process. The sustainability of vegan leather relies on vegetable tannins to displace water in the tanning process to prevent the leather from rotting. The vegetable tanning process also ensures the resulting leather is completely biodegradable so businesses and consumers can properly dispose of products when needed. In fact, vegetable-tanned leather can often be made thicker, helping bags or garments maintain their shape longer. Vegetable-tanned leather may also age better than straight chrome-tanned leather.

Leaf leather

Another sustainable leather alternative is leaf leather. Pinatex is a natural leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibers. Researchers found pineapple leaves to have fibers that are "very fine but are very strong," making them the perfect alternative for leather. After 20 years of research and development, Pinatex came to fruition, boasting a sustainable production process from start to finish. The fibers are extracted mechanically before being washed, dried in the sun, and purified. The fibers are woven into mesh, then finished with plant-based resin and softened to achieve the leather feel. Other leaves that can make these leather alternatives include harvested teak leaves and cactuses. They all share similarities in that they create the tough, durable feel of leather without contributing to animal cruelty.

Cork fabric

Finally, cork fabric is exactly what it sounds like. Made from the cork material you would typically find on wine bottles, cork fabric can be produced without leaving harmful waste, and it doesn't contribute to air or water pollution as well. Once it's 25 years old, cork can be harvested without harming the tree's bark. After harvest, the cork is laid out to dry for about six months, then boiled, flattened, and molded into a leather-like material. Cork is a carbon-negative product, and using cork in wine bottles has reduced total emissions by up to 40%. Cork fabric or cork leather can be found in footwear, wallets, and bags.

Ultimately, there are many sustainable alternatives to leather production in the fashion industry today. Opting for fashion choices that don't contribute to animal cruelty or harm the environment is one way to support the planet as individuals. Remember that other alternatives exist, such as thrifting and supporting brands championing ethical working practices in their production cycle.

Exclusively written for makefashionbetter.com By Clarissa Dale