Vegan materials as alternatives to leather

Why avoid leather?

Whether it's for ecological reasons or a sensitivity to the animal welfare, More and more of us no longer want to buy leather.

The sanimal suffering, tannery workers exposed to health risks, environmental damage.... Several factors prompt us to ask questions. Lthe harmful effects of leather are numerous and I explain them in detail in the article The impact of leather on animals, people, and the environment. This is therefore definitely for convictions ethical that Zebra Vegan Shop distributes only items de fashion without leather et certified vegan, which guarantees that no animal-derived ingredients are used in the formulation of the products.

It is sometimes difficult to keep track of things between the terms : vegan leather, vegetable-tanned leather, faux leather…. First of all, a quick clarification on the word leather : it refers to the animal skin. It is therefore not correct to use this term to refer to a material that contains none of it : such as vegan leather, apple leather etc. That's why I will put "leather in quotes or will usei the term faux leather, or alternative leather.

What is vegetable-tanned leather?

Be careful not to mix up vegan shoes and vegetable leather shoes.

We are hearing more and more talk about shoes en vegetable leather. Ce term carries a little confusing because it actually refers to animal leather, but one that has been vegetable-tanned. In fact, in most cases, leather tanning is done using chemical products (in particular chromium, which is very harmful to workers' health).
The vegetable tanning is less widespread because iIt is much longer and more expensive. It involves using tanning agents from plant sources (fruits, tree bark, roots, leaves…) which are nonetheless chemically modified, but remains less toxic than chrome tanning.

But qWhat solutions are available to us when looking for leather-free shoes animal ? or even a vegan bag or a belt ? What are the materials leather alternatives for the making of vegan shoes ?

PWhat can replace leather?

A few years ago, when you wanted to buy a pair of shoes or a bag leather-free We only had a choice between plastic and plastic. And very often The exact composition is not specified.e : is this polyurethane, of the polyester or of the PVC ? On the label, all these materials are grouped under the same small diamond symbol « other materials ».

Today, new alternative materials are starting to appear, made from waste from fruits and of plants such as the pineapple, the cactus, the apple or even the grape.

faux leather

They offer us the opportunity to consume differently and choose less polluting materials.
I would like to note that no material is perfect, since all production generates pollution. These so-called plant-based » also contain synthetic components (often polyurethane) to make them durable et robust.
Because if shoes were made from 100 % fruit, I'll leave you to imagine the condition (and the smell) of your feet!

Here is a piece of information that may nevertheless reassure you about choosing synthetic materials over leather : On average, it takes 20x more resources to produce 1 kg of leather than to produce 1 kg of synthetic material.. (Source: report "Pulse of the Fashion Industry" by Global Fashion Agenda)

Each alternative material has its own strengths and flaws, the key is to learn more about them and to make them accessible.

It is by democratizing these "leather" vegan that we will be able to improve. Because the more consumers and brands take an interest in these materials, the more suppliers will be able to invest in their further development.

List of leather alternative materials

Here is a list of the materials used for the production of vegan shoes and of vegan leather goods. Feel free to click on each material to read its presentation.