The Ethical Dilemma: Animal Products in The Fashion Industry

AJ
Oct 18, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Feb 17, 2025

In the vibrant world of fashion, there's a silent but crucial debate brewing about the use of animal materials in the industry. Most people will automatically believe that using faux fur is more sustainable and ethical than real. In this article, I will discuss the pros and cons of animal products, as well as showing alternative options that need to be talked about more.

The Battle of Materials

Cons of Real Fur:

When it comes to real fur, there's a dark reality hidden behind its luxurious facade. The process of fur farming involves lots of inhumane practices including:

CO and CO2 poisoning
Electric shock
Neck-breaking
Lethal injection

This cruel industry not only harms innocent animals but also poses a risk to our planet by emitting 7 times more CO2 than faux fur production. Even though they have been banned in over 23 countries, the US still has 250 operating fur farms. The detrimental effects on wildlife and ecosystems cannot be overlooked.

Pros of Real Fur:

Real fur is durable, biodegradable and chemical free. This means that animal derived materials last longer than the plastic alternatives.

Impacts of faux fur:

Synthetic fabrics are petroleum based, this is a fossil fuel, if you don't already know, fossil fuels are horrible for our environment (We are also running out of them)
Made from plastic polymers, polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- The production of these materials releases toxins and microplastics that can affect our ecosystems and contribute to global warming
Non-biodegradable, will sit in landfills forever

On the other end of the spectrum lies faux fur, a synthetic alternative that resonates with advocates of animal welfare and sustainability. Besides being durable and biodegradable, faux fur reduces waste and lessens the adverse impact on resource consumption by a significant 169%. The numbers speak volumes - a whopping 300% less damage to ecosystems and 129% lower risk of climate change make a compelling case for choosing faux fur over its real counterpart.

Cons of Real Leather

Leather, often synonymous with sophistication and durability, also poses grave concerns for the environment. It takes 17,000 liters of water required to produce just 1 kg of cow leather, that is about what one person would consumer in 6 months. Tanneries add to the problem by infecting waterways, leading to deforestation, habitat loss, and endangering native wildlife.

Pros of Real Leather

Those glossy faux leather jackets may seem appealing, but beneath the surface lies a toxic reality. Although it is true that faux leather is a more ethical decision, it is even more harmful to our environment. Faux leather is made from polyester, and a layer of polyurethane (PU) and/or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), A.K.A. plastic. These materials are non-biodegradable and pose severe risks to both humans and our environment. The fashion industry's love affair with plastic clothing not only contributes to water pollution but also adds to the mounting challenges of plastic waste management globally.

Now that you understand the effects of using these products, let's talk about other alternatives.

Sustainable Choices

Innovative materials are paving the way for eco-friendly alternatives:

Pinatex is a leather alternative that is created from the leaves of a pineapple plant. In the pineapple farming process these leaves would normally just go to waste, but now we can use them to create sustainable leather products. This is one of the most popular sustainable leather alternatives and has been used by brands such as Mashu, NAE and even H&M.
Mirum is crafted from natural rubber plant oils and waxes, natural pigments, and minerals. It is known as the world's first plastic-free leather alternative. They also color their plant-based leather with plant/mineral pigments and other natural ingredients. Lots of brands, including Stella McCartney have used this material.
Desserto is made from cacti ! More specifically the prickly pear cactus (my personal favorite cactus). This plant grows naturally in many parts of the world and does not require extra water or harmful chemicals to grow. It has been used by many brands including Balenciaga.
Malai is another leather alternative made from agricultural waste. This fiber is made of wastewater from coconut production. Malai has a large resemblance to animal leather but, creates no waste. This fiber does have its drawbacks unfortunately, it is very sensitive to humidity and doesn't last as long as real leather goods.
Apple Skin is also a byproduct of the farming industry. The brand Vegatex uses apple pomace to create this fiber. Even though Apple Skin looks a lot like real leather, it has a paper like texture making it easy to add different backings, coatings and effects. But this fiber does contain water based PU and it is unknown whether or not the material is truly biodegradable.

You can find more sustainable materials by visiting Good on You. By opting for biodegradable materials, such as Pinatex and Desserto, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint and actively participate in creating a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry.

The Call to Action

As we stand at this crossroads of ethics and sustainability in the fashion world, each choice we make holds the power to shape a better tomorrow. By embracing natural options, and sustainable materials, we can steer the fashion industry towards a greener and more compassionate future. Let's pledge to make informed decisions, protect our environment, and advocate for a fashion landscape that cherishes life in all its forms.

Fashion should empower, not harm.

Thank you for reading !!

-AJ.

10/18/24