SUSTAINABLE CHOICES in LEATHER
Clare Roades
Addison Zheng
Animal Leather
Types
The most common leather, made from leftover cow skins from the meat industry.
Softer and lighter than cowhide but less durable, with lower water use, but still contributes to methane emissions.
Durable material made from horses not raised for hides, with a lower environmental impact than cowhide.
Cheaper and breathable but stiffer and often less visually appealing with highly polluting tanning processes.
Rare, expensive, and ethically controversial due to endangered species concerns.
Pros
Byproduct –
Hides can by considered a byproduct of the meat industry, which reduces waste and maximizes resource efficiency, making leather production more sustainable.
Biodegradable –
Vegetable-tanned leather naturally breaks down over time, reducing landfill waste compared to synthetic alternatives.
Longevity –
High-quality leather lasts decades with proper care, reducing the need for frequent replacements and lowering long-term environmental impact.
Sustainable Innovations –
Modern tanneries are adopting water-saving methods, chrome recycling, and bio-based tanning to reduce leather’s environmental footprint while maintaining quality.
Cons
CoProduct –
Leather’s high economic value means hides are increasingly considered more of a profitable co-product than a byproduct of the meat industry, encouraging more animal farming.
High Carbon Emissions –
Leather production generates high carbon emissions, mainly from cattle farming and energy-intensive tanning processes, which greatly contribute to climate change.
High Water Consumption –
Leather production is extremely water-intensive, requiring over 17,000 liters per kilogram – mostly for cattle rearing and tanning – straining freshwater resources.
Chemical Pollution –
Traditional leather tanning, especially chrome tanning, releases toxic chemicals like chromium into waterways, harming ecosystems and human health.
Alternative Leather
Types
Leather that is made by putting a plastic polymer over a base fabric, such as cotton or nylon.
Leather that is made from lab-grown bacteria combined with fibers.
Leather that is made from fruit or fruit waste including apple, mango, and grape.
Leather that is made from fibers that come from tees and fruit.
Leather that is made from lab-grown mycelium, which is a root-like structure in fungi.
Leather that is made from the leaves of plants including pineapple, cacti, and olive plants.
Pros
Byproduct –
Many companies use agricultural waste from other industries to make their leather. For instance, the company Vegea makes leather from the grape waste of vineries.
Lower carbon emissions –
Alternative leather produces less carbon than animal leather. Specifically, vegan leather produces 5.6 kg of carbon per square meter on average compared to cow leather’s 110 kg.
Lower Water Consumption –
Alternative leathers typically use less water than animal leathers. This is because 95% of water consumed for animal leather is used to make the animal’s food.
Sustainable energy –
Many companies utilize sustainable forms of energy. For instance the company Mylo powers their mushroom farms with 100% renewable energy.
Cons
Non-biodegradable –
Many alternative leather products are non-biodegradable due to the added plastics and synthetic dyes. This can contribute to landfill overflow.
Microplastics –
Since alternative leather products often contain forms of plastic, these plastics can shed and end up in food chains and human bodies which cause harm to their health.
Chemical Pollution –
Many alternative leather products contain plasticizers which can leach and release harmful chemical gases into the environment.
Conclusion
Traditional animal leather has high environmental costs, including heavy water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and chemical pollution, but it is durable and biodegradable. New alternatives from plants, fungi, or agricultural waste use fewer resources and have a lower carbon footprint, yet often rely on plastic-based coatings that can release microplastics. With each option carrying its own trade-offs, there is no single “best” choice—the decision comes down to what matters most to you, whether it’s reducing immediate resource use, minimizing long-term pollution, or supporting new, innovative materials.