Do vegetarians wear leather? | A “dirty” business
Many people choose to become vegetarians for ethical reasons. They believe that it is wrong to kill animals for food and that it is possible to live a healthy life without consuming animal products. Some people also choose a vegetarian diet for environmental reasons, as the meat industry has a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
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We know that vegetarians who have chosen a vegetarian diet for ethical reasons are against the killing of animals. What about the wearing the leather of the killed animals? Do vegetarians wear leather? How ethical is the purchase of leather products?
Animals Abused And Killed for Their Skins
Leather is typically made from the hides or skins of animals, including cows, sheep, pigs, goats, and sometimes exotic animals like snakes or alligators. The majority of leather comes from cows that are raised for meat, and the hides are a byproduct of the meat industry. Sheep and pigs are also common sources of leather.
It’s worth noting that the production of leather can involve a significant amount of environmental damage and animal cruelty. The tanning process used to transform animal hides into leather often involves toxic chemicals that can pollute waterways and harm workers. Additionally, some animals used for leather production may be raised in inhumane conditions, and the slaughtering process can be brutal.
As a result, some people choose to avoid leather products altogether and instead opt for alternative materials like synthetic leather, cork, or natural fibers like cotton or hemp.
Do vegetarians wear leather?
Unfortunately, we cannot answer this question with yes or no. The decision to wear or not wear leather ultimately comes down to personal choice and values.
Unfotunately, current laws do not prohibit the wearing of leather. Leather is a legal product that can be bought and sold in many countries. However, some countries have laws that regulate the production of leather to ensure that it is done in an ethical and sustainable manner.
This is how dirty the production of leather is
Leather is nothing more than animal skin made durable. To achieve this durability, the hides are usually tanned with chromium salts. The heavy metal is usually mined in open-cast mines in Africa and Asia, which consumes a lot of energy. Let’s not even get started on the working conditions here.
Up to 500 grams of chemicals can be added to one kilogram of raw animal hide. The most important chemical used by tanners is chromium III, which can turn into toxic chromium VI if used incorrectly or in impure salt. Chromium VI can also form in the leather during transport from Asia due to heat and high humidity.
However, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has repeatedly detected toxic chromium VI in leather clothing in tests. In some cases, half of the products tested were contaminated. If leather has a chromium VI value of 3 mg/kg or more of the total dry weight, it may not be sold in Europe. The EU-wide restriction has been in place since 2015, but regular market monitoring is intended to sort out contaminated products as quickly as possible. High concentrations of chromium VI would have decreased since then. The BfR assumes that around five percent of leather products now still exceed the limit value. There is a health risk primarily for people who have a chromium VI allergy, says the BfR. People can absorb it through the skin and especially through sweaty feet. In Germany, there are now over half a million people who are allergic to chromium VI
Leather is booming and mostly comes from Asia
The leather business is booming all over the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), international leather production increased by 21 percent from 2000 to 2014. The leather industry is growing particularly strongly in Asia and Latin America.
For example, 80 percent of the leather used worldwide is processed in large tanneries in Asia – sometimes under terrible working conditions. “Tanning is one of the dirtiest industries in the world,” says Anton Pieper of the Südwind Institute.
Conclusions
The decision to wear leather as a vegetarian is a personal choice and one that may depend on an individual’s beliefs and values. Some vegetarians choose not to wear leather because they view it as a byproduct of the meat industry and believe that it is wrong to use animal products in any form. Others may choose to wear leather if they feel that it is a durable and practical material that can be difficult to replace with synthetic alternatives.
It’s important to note that the production of leather can have significant environmental impacts and involve animal cruelty. If an individual chooses to wear leather as a vegetarian, they may want to consider purchasing products that are made from sustainably-sourced leather and from companies that prioritize ethical practices in their production processes.
Ultimately, the decision to wear leather as a vegetarian is a personal one, and it’s important to consider one’s own values and the potential impacts of their choices.
Check out my blog or my vegan and vegetarian recipes.
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Source: quarks
