Have you ever asked yourself the question: Is leather environmentally friendly? If you already have an idea of what the term "ecofriendly" means, keep reading! This topic is going to fascinate you.

The term "ecofriendly" or eco-friendly is related to products that contribute to a green environment or practices that help conserve resources in terms of air, water, and land. Many people and industries today are increasingly concerned about this subject.

Some consumers prefer clothing or other items made from man-made materials, thinking that these can be "eco-friendly" or environmentally friendly; however, it's worth knowing a bit more about the production processes of these and comparing them with other traditional and/or natural materials.

Can leather be eco-friendly?

The answer is yes; leather can be an environmentally friendly material, depending on its dyeing process. In recent years, due to international concern for the ecosystem and efforts by the leather industry, processes and materials used in leather production have been modified to achieve more environmentally friendly results. The use of new alternatives for processing leather without chemicals (such as chromium salts) by replacing them with safer alternatives or using naturally untanned leather is considered environmentally friendly. Nowadays, the global leather industry is working to create a more transparent supply chain so that best practices are rewarded by consumers. These industries have been modifying and/or updating their processes to be more proactive and eco-friendly.

Why is leather considered more environmentally friendly than other materials in clothing and footwear?

Natural and genuine leather should not be confused with so-called eco-leather, vegetable leather, faux leather, or synthetic leather, among other names, which are given to all those synthetic imitations of animal skin. It is worth noting that these imitations can appear very similar to real leather, sometimes confusing consumers, but they do not possess all the characteristics and properties of the natural material.

Photo by Micah Tindell on Unsplash

Among the reasons why leather can be considered environmentally friendly are:

• Longevity: A leather item with proper care can last for many years in perfect condition and can even be recycled to make other items.
• Animal skins are a biodegradable material due to their natural origin, unlike synthetic leathers, which, due to their plastic components, can take thousands of years to biodegrade.
• Leather comes from nature and, due to its organic, physical, and other characteristics, is one of the best materials for clothing and other alternative uses.
• It is a material that contributes to the circular economy because animal skins are processed to give them a purpose, materials that would otherwise be waste.

Regarding the use of animal skins by humans, there are multiple opinions; we respect all beliefs and do not intend to generate controversy about the use of animal skins.

Remember that at Qiwa Cueros all our processes are eco-friendly, and we use the highest quality leather.Contact us right now!