I have been wondering about leather and how it relates to ethical work environments and sustainable ways of using it.
I know this is a complicated and somewhat sensitive topic and I am open to learning if you have any suggestions for me. I try to see both sides to every scenario and this is one that I do not think has been explored as an ethical or sustainable way of using animal products that are controversial. I am not for or against either in this case unless it is harmful to human/animal ethics and the environment.
I got the chance to watch the Ted Talk on Ethical Fashion by one of the founders of Parker Clay, It was awesome- you should watch it. I copied the link here.
Parker Clay is a B Corporation that uses leather goods to provide empowering jobs to people in Ethiopia, especially women at risk.
I asked the brand Parker Clay some questions to get some deeper insight...
1. The tanning is done with vegetable dyes- making it more sustainable- correct?
"Our commitment to ethical production standards starts at the origins of each of our products. We source our leather from traditional tanneries that combine quality craftsmanship with modern environmental innovations. These tanneries source leather as a by-product of the livestock industry, and recycle all the water used in the tanning process. Our products are dyed with industry standard chrome dyes and, increasingly, with all-natural organic vegetable based dyes."
2. What is the cow industry like in Ethiopia? Are the cattle raised well- that you know?
"Though it teeters from year to year - on average Ethiopia is home to the 6th largest population of livestock in the world ! Ethiopia is also home to over 100 million people, many of those people, about 90% of them that depend on the land there and the livestock are treated like family.
For many of these animals they live a long life and are well cared for, for many small farmers when an animal comes to the end of its life its hide is often discarded and can have unhealthy effects on the people in these communities. Due to this, groups go around and give these farmers a new source of income by paying for the hide and also addressing the waste that could have otherwise been harmful.
It’s all a very natural process of life and we see this as an opportunity to create additional income for these families and repurpose a product that would have been used for waste so that synthetic materials don’t need to be created and harm our environment.
Many vegan leather alternatives are made with chemicals such as PVC that can cause cancer and pollution that cannot be reversed. "
I do not want to use leather because it's from an animal and the meat industry is crazy, but there are sustainable ways of using it that are not just for mass consumption.
Leather is a hard topic and I do not have all the answers, but this gave me some clarity as to who to support if I were going to buy leather goods. I support vegan leather when done in an eco-friendly and ethical way- same with leather.
Parker Clay does wonders for the people in their community and they are changing lives in the process while not causing harm to the animals or environment. Check out Parker Clay and all that they do for the people in Ethiopia!
