To ask that people consider giving up leather?

[Breadandwine]

I’ve been a vegan for 13 years. My concerns are animal welfare and global warming, plus I feel it's good for my health.

With regard to animal welfare, I have issues with every aspect of animal husbandry - but I have to be honest, until now, I haven’t given much thought to leather. I avoid it, certainly - it took several years of delicate negotiations before I persuaded my wife to accept a faux leather suite instead of the leather one she wanted - but I’ve always thought leather to be a by-product of the dairy industry.

Not so. An article by Lucy Siegle in this morning’s Observer Magazine brought me up short.

Leather production seems to be worse than other forms of animal cruelty in that humans are suffering too:

"Finally the animals are skinned (in front of each other) in the back streets of Dhaka. The skins are processed in makeshift tanneries with workers, including children, knee deep in toxic chemicals."

Not a chance would I buy my children non leather shoes

at bacon hat

*magratsflyawayhair

I eat meat. I would rather all parts of the animals killed be used. So I'll continue buying leather goods.*

Unfortunately, this is what many people mistakenly think. The animals used for meat are not generally used for leather/sheepskin too because their skins are not good enough quality due to marks and scratches from fences, scrapes and bumps. Animals used for leather are often bred for tbis purposes and are not used for meat. So there is not using the whole of the animal. I got this I formation from a UK tannery I visited several time for a university project.

I say this as a leather and sheepskin wearing person, by the way. I just think it is worth noting that leather is not the by product many think it is.

bold fail

I bet your wife would still prefer a real leather sofa and she just got fed up with you nagging her!

YANBU to ask, but I won't be giving up leather shoes as my feet turn everything else mouldy after a few weeks because they sweat loads!

I've been child free for 56 years. My concerns are animal welfare and global warming, plus I feel it's good for my health. OP - have you considered that you could reduce your impact on the planet a lot more effectively by following my lead and deciding not to have children? No matter how much meat I personally consume, or animal products I wear/use, I'm pretty sure that my personal 'footprint' will be lot smaller than that of someone who raises a family, even if it's a vegan family :)

We all make choices, and I'm happy with mine. Each to their own, eh?

Are you not going to answer about any of points about leather alternatives not being great for the environment?

since one of your concerns is global warming?

Sorry, curren, lot's of things going on home, ATM!

That's a fair point, and I don't know the answer. So I googled 'Leather versus the alternatives' and got thousands of results.

Here's just one, but there are many more.

I'm still unsure about the GW aspect. But when you factor in the inherent cruelty in the industry, alongside the human suffering caused, I'd still come out in favour of the man-made alternatives.

Thanks, jimpam! I was well aware of all the ill-considered judgements I would face, posting about this - so posts like yours are very welcome.

I'm not perfect, by any means - I wear a leather belt (bought pre-vegan) - and I do struggle with the ethical dilemma of animal testing. Personally I think we do too much of it, but whether it should or could be done away with, I'm not sure.

We all (most of us) do what we can. I was a dedicated meat-eater for the first 64 years of my life, but now I think of the ethical consequences of everything I do. From flushing the toilet, to turning on a light switch, to buying a new gadget.

IMO, if people really think about the consequences of their actions, that's all one can ask for. If they continue wearing leather, for instance, after learning about the pros and cons, well, at least they’ve thought about it. That was my reason for starting this thread, really.

Peace and love, as Ringo would say!

My first pair of DMs lasted 13 years and were the only shoes I had for 10 of them; in summer I wore them without socks.

My 2nd pair lasted 8 years.

I have had my current pair for 3 years. They're still fab and comfortable and going strong.

My dh bought me a pair of fake leather boots for work, cheap and comfortable but apparently smarter than DMs. A few days ago I scraped the toe on something. No amount of polish and elbow grease has fixed it. Result? Work boots which look so dreadful that they've been charity shopped.

Having had 'smart' work boots for less than 2 weeks, I am back to wearing my DMs.

Leather wins every time.

You have linked info from a vegan company about how long plastic sofas last?

Good for you, FurryDogMother. That's a good point you're making.

Unfortunately, you can't turn back the clock - I can't undo the 2 DCs and the 4 GCs, I'm afraid.

But you could have the best of both worlds - by being both child-free and vegan!

vegan family I wish! I'm on my own here!

A quick Google has shown that fake leather rips easier and generally doesn't last as long as a real leather sofa. That's the general consensus.

Which I suspected since mil uses her mothers leather sofa, which was purchased in around 1985.

If you are concern about animal welfare and GW, consider the impact on the planet when you buy cheap goods that don't last that long and will need replacing more often. Millions of animals live on the planet. Wild ones. The impact of importing food, mass manufacturing of cheap goods impacts those Animals on their habitats.

Alicia of course it's a by-product, just because not all the animals have good enough skins to make your sofa doesn't mean that any are produced just for the skin - the rest of the animal is far more valuable for meat, some are good enough skins to make stuff with (bonus) and some aren't.

When I click on that link, curren, I get to an article entitled.

"Leather versus Polyurethane: An Ethical Dilemma".

If you're still having problems, google 'Leather versus the alternatives' like I did.

About the suite - its very comfortable - no sweating - though neither of us can remember where it we got it from. sorry.

Oops, cross-posted!

I get the same link. It's a vegan website, not very objective.

If vegan food was as delicious as meat, I'd not hesitate to go vegan, but cooking and eating are two of my main sources of pleasure - I have tried to Become One With The Lentil, and failed miserably (though I do like a good tarka dall) - can't even stick to being vegetarian on a long term basis. I mean roast duck, or pork crackling, or a fresh tuna steak - nah, no way can I deny myself those guilty pleasures.

As for leather or plastic suites - don't you find them awfully slippery ? Much prefer a fabric covered seat myself :) Of course, that could be cos of the previously-mentioned child-free status - don't have to wipe stuff off them often!

I really like your friendly approach to this, OP - makes a refreshing change!

Apart from when my husband has bought me a naice bag, I'm a pleather girl although im not sure if the adhesives are made from animal derivatives that glue my shoes together

Vegan food is delicious! I just don't like to eat it every day, however I have big respect for vegans

"you don't really need a bag at all"

This is interesting. Do tell. How else am I supposed to carry around my wallet, phone, keys, Kindle, lipstick, headphones, tissues, and tampons (to name a few articles in my bag)?

"If they continue wearing leather, for instance, after learning about the pros and cons, well, at least they’ve thought about it."

Pros:
Comfort, heat preservation, impact protection, wind protection, impermeability, durability, availability, affordability, variety.

Cons:
Animals are mistreated in Bengladesh and toxic chemicals are used.

Um I'll stick to leather.

How else am I supposed to carry around my wallet, phone, keys, Kindle, lipstick, headphones, tissues, and tampons (to name a few articles in my bag)?

Pockets! That's what I use. Oh, hang on, I don't have a Kindle - or a lipstick or tampons, come to think of it. Don't have any use for those. (There, I've outed myself as bloke! )

Don't suppose I could offer you a hemp shopping bag, Cote?

I use a cloth bag instead of a leather handbag because I love bright colourful bags.

Such a shame to see vegetarian and vegan bashing comments. I am vegetarian, and try to have minimal leather. I read the article this morning and was very upset by it. I won't be buying leather again.

During those long years of furniture negotiations, what did you actually sit on?

Cloth bags are great - in the summer.

Hemp bags sound like a dumb way to waste cannabis.

Bravo OP. Trust a man to come & tell us to forget about bags & shoes.

No doubt you have strong views about jewellery, too. And what about makeup?