AIBU but is Vegan Leather a con?

[Lincslady53]

We are looking a what our next car will be, and on looking at review videos on youtube a number of new cars have the option of 'vegan leather' upholstery. I google what this material is. Answer. POLYURETHANE! So instead of covering the seats in a natural, biodegradable product, it is a man made, from oil, that will break down into micro plastics, and take forever to totally degrade. AIBU to think that marketing companies take the public for fools?

Yabnu

Yes its a con. Its plastic.

Here is another example. The TV ad for Flash that says it contains a plant based product. Maybe, but mixed in with mainly organic chemicals.

It’s plastic and a genius in the marketing department.

Not that different from what used to be called vinyl.

I would imagine everyone knows it’s plastic. Most car seats are plastic or cloth anyway. It gives vegans more choice, which is fine.

Yes, it’s just greenwashing. It’s everywhere these days. Stick a vegan/plant based/organic label on it and charge double.

Back in the 90s we called it PVC, and it.was known as cheap and nasty.... now its morally superior!

YANBU. It makes me roll my eyes every time I see it. In fact it makes me go off brands because it makes them look like con men that assume the customer is stupid!

Plant based = palm oil
Vegan leather = plastic

Both are god awful for local ecosystems and the global environment in general

Thought everyone realised this.

So how is the oxymoron 'vegan leather' actually more beneficial for the planet?

What did you think it would be made of?

Absolutely a con, genuis marketing and it's everywhere inc shoes and handbags.

At least leather will break down at the end of the items lifespan, plastic will be in the ground for centuries

Have you ever sat in a car with vegan leather? Maybe you have and not realised it. Calling it "pvc" or "plastic" or "vinyl" seating would not do it justice.

The car manufacturers are increasingly turning to plant based leather made from recycled wine corks etc which should alleviate the concerns around oil, plastics, etc.

Nailed it!

I don't think it's a con; it's just naming something as part of marketing to an audience. Although as a pp says there are some innovations away from the sticky shiny 70s stuff:

appleleather.com/apple-leather/whats-apple-leather/

I have some lovely 'vegan leather' products from eg 'good guys don't wear leather' and they are really nice to wear

Yes, finally someone says it!

I refuse to buy vegan leather on the grounds that it is plastic. Leather is a natural product that will break down. I don't want my feet sitting in plastic all day.

If this was true, wouldn't it be on the news?

Did you read my post? Veganism is nothing to do with the planet. It is about the animals.

Environmentalism is a seperate issue, although one that concerns many vegans. These environmentalists, who also happen to be vegan most likely wouldn’t chose vegan leather for these reasons.

But most likely still more environmentally friendly than the cattle industry anyway.

But it’s laughable being concerned about the seat material in a car that will be covered in plastic stuff, driving on and wearing down roads made from oil, emoting fumes from its own burning of fossil fuels or driven by electricity created by the burning of fossil fuels.

This is clearly another boring anti vegan thread created and fuelled by idiots who can’t work out very simple issues (or apparently read simple posts)

No such thing as vegan leather, it's plastic! By all means give people choice but don't call it leather. Personally I'm happy with fabric anyway, not keen on leather seats

Not necessarily, for example:

WHAT IS LEAF LEATHER?
Leaf "Leather" is not actual leather - it's a layered material made from sustainably harvested Teak leaves that are mended with fabric and sealed to preserve the beauty of nature's designs. Every piece is truly unique, and unlike regular leather, no animals are harmed in the process.
Our leaf leather gear is strong, durable, and water resistant.

We had vegan leather in our 1970s Beetle.

It really hurt to peel your legs off the seat on a hot day.

At least there's now seatbelts to stop people sliding everywhere

What you’ve been waiting so long for someone to say something incredibly stupid???