Why Vegan Leather is Bad for the Environment

Many people choose to buy vegan leather bags because they believe that it is a more environmentally friendly option than leather made from animal skin. However, the truth is that vegan leather bags can actually be very bad for the environment.

While vegan leather diaper bags are a trendy choice for new parents, many people don't realize that they are made from toxic PVC. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a type of plastic that contains harmful chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals can leach into the food and beverages we consume, and they have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer. vegan leather is made from PU, or polyurethane, which is another type of plastic. While PU leather does not contain the same harmful chemicals as PVC leather, it still releases microplastics into the environment when it breaks down. Microplastics are a major pollution problem, and they can end up in our oceans, where they adversely affect marine life.

The process of making vegan leather requires large amounts of energy and water, and the materials used are often not biodegradable. PVC production releases dioxins, which are linked to a variety of health problems including cancer, reproductive damage, and immune system disruption. What's more, vegan leather often contains phthalates, which are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can interfere with the body's natural hormone function. In addition, most vegan leather bags are made in China, where environmental regulations are lax and worker rights are poor.

As a result, buying a vegan leather bag can actually have a negative impact on the environment. If you are looking for a more sustainable option, consider choosing a leather bag that is made from sustainable materials such as vegetable-tanned leather or water buffalo hide. These bags will last longer and have a smaller environmental footprint than vegan leather bags.

So if vegan leather is bad for the environment, how what are the options? When it comes to leather, there are two main types of tanning: vegetable-tanned leather and chrome-tanned leather. Most leather on the market today is chrome-tanned, which is cheaper and faster than vegetable-tanning. However, vegetable-tanning is a more sustainable option, as it uses less energy and produces fewer harmful chemicals.

Vegetable-tanning is a centuries-old process that uses tannins derived from plants to tan the leather. The leather is placed in a solution of tannins and then left to soak for several weeks. This process can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it results in a sturdy, durable leather that will last for years.

Additionally, vegetable-tanned leather is biodegradable. When it breaks down, it will do so without releasing harmful chemicals into the environment. Chromium-tanned leather and vegan leather, on the other hand, can take hundreds of years to break down completely, and while doing so may release toxic chemicals into the soil and water.

Chrome-tanning was developed in the late 1800s as a way to speed up the tanning process. Leather is tanned using chromium salts, which are much harsher on the environment than tannins. In addition, chrome-tanned leather is not as durable as vegetable-tanned leather, meaning it will need to be replaced more often.

For these reasons, vegetable-tanned leather is the more sustainable choice for products like leather diaper bags. It may cost more upfront, but it will last longer and have a smaller environmental impact. So, if you're looking for a leather diaper bag that is both durable and sustainable, be sure to choose one that is vegetable-tanned. Your child will thank you for it!