Is apple leather vegan? Is apple leather sustainable? Here are apple leather pros and cons: all the info on apple leather that every ethical consumer wants to know…
Clothes are so cheap and trendy these days we buy them even when we don’t ‘need’ them. If you’re like me, you do all the research you can to make sure materials accommodate your needs but don’t hurt the planet, animals or others. As an ethical consumer myself, I am giving you all the info I’ve found on whether apple leather is vegan and sustainable.
You are going to learn all about apple leather’s impact on animals and the planet. This will include apple leather benefits for you regarding the durability, versatility and accessibility of the material. You’ll find out if apple leather is sustainable and if apple leather is vegan…or maybe even impacts animals in other ways!
After learning if apple leather is good or bad for your lifestyle, the environment, animals and human rights, you’ll be able to make the best choices you can the next time you shop.
This post is all about asking is apple leather vegan and is apple leather sustainable…something every ethical shopper must know.
Is Apple Leather Vegan And Sustainable?
HOME
Durability: pros apple leather is strong, UV-resistant
Versatility: pros apple leather is breathable, hypoallergenic, offers a variety of textures, thicknesses and embossing and laser prints, can be on demand, easily personalized, used in the fashion and furnishing industry, used to make clothes, shoes, luggage and leather goods, furnishing accessories, sofas, company gadgets, coatings, etc.
Accessibility: apple leather is uncommon
Apple leather is…
- Durable
- Rare, uncommon, hard to find
- Increasing in popularity and demand
ENVIRONMENT
Fiber source: natural, apple leather is a natural fiber, it comes from discarded apple peels, commonly a byproduct of the apple juice industry
Biodegradable: yes, apple leather is biodegradable
Destruction: low, apple leather production is relatively sustainable, a bio-based leather alternative derived and recycled from the apple industry’s food waste
Apple leather is…
- Sustainable
ANIMALS
Kills: none, apple leather production does not require any animals
Harms: none, apple leather production does not require any animals
Indirectly kills or harms: none, as long as toxic chemicals have not been used, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as pesticides undoubtably harm and kill wildlife and ecosystems by contaminating soil, water, air and plants that animals eat
Apple leather is…
LABORERS
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, laborers are often exploited, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Apple leather…
- May involve worker exploitation, laborer issues, human rights concerns
What are apple leather uses?
Apple leather uses include making shoes, handbags and as an overall substitute to cowhide leather.
What are some ethical vegan fashion brands that use apple leather?
Camille, Jenah St, Veerah and Votch are ethical vegan fashion brands that uses apple leather.
Is apple leather durable or delicate?
Apple leather is durable and long lasting when cared for properly. Apple leather is strong and UV-resistant.
For every 5 garments produced, the equivalent of 3 end up in a landfill or incinerated each year!
One reason for such wastefulness society’s ever growing desire to acquire. Fast fashion (creating low-priced items at high volumes) is problematic for a number of reasons and promotes the attitude that clothing is nearly disposable.
But another component of such a quick turnaround on clothing is because it’s just not lasting long enough. Snags, stains, warping and shrinkage render items unusable and unacceptable for the donation pile. Avoid such problems by buying better quality, more durable, long lasting materials. Timeless wardrobe favorites that last for years and years are more sustainable and reduce the need for replacements.
Every second, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of textiles burns or goes to landfills…
Keep minimalism in mind and buy less, borrow and buy items second hand. Thrift shops offer many inexpensive, unique finds that have already proven to stand the test of time!
Is apple leather sustainable?
Yes, apple leather is sustainable. It is a bio-based leather alternative from the apple industry’s food waste.
Animal materials are a natural fiber and biodegradable unless heavily treated with chemicals. However, they are not at all eco-friendly or sustainable due to the overwhelming strain on natural resources; the water needed, food needed and land usage that must happen for such abundant amounts of animals to live.
That’s not to say that all vegan materials are sustainable. There are many vegan yet unsustainable fabrics, materials and textiles. Most of us don’t realize that washing one synthetic garment releases about 2,000 plastic microfibers which then enter the ocean and food chain…or that 30% of rayon and viscose used in fashion comes from endangered and ancient forests. So because a fabric is vegan it does not necessarily mean that it is sustainable, eco-friendly and so on.
Natural fibers like cotton are actually really harmful IF they are not organic. How? Cotton seeds are often GMOs that require pesticides, which are extremely toxic! In fact, up to 16% of the world’s pesticides go to non-organic, GMO cotton farming every year. The chemicals degrade soil and pollute water as well as poison cotton pickers.
Wow! …So it’s time to start using sustainable fabrics, materials and textiles.
Is apple leather vegan?
Yes, apple leather is vegan.
Cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, ducks and foxes are animals commonly subject to exploitation for their skins, hair or feathers. In fact, BILLIONS of them die every single year simply in the name of fashion.
Before buying a pair of shoes, a sweater, a purse, check the materials. Common and unfortunately popular animal-derived materials include:
These materials often come from places like India and China where there can be NO animal welfare laws or enforcement. But if the item does come from a more developed area of the world, such as the United States or Europe, that animal was likely a victim of factory farming. In such overcrowded farms there is confinement, disease and animals sometimes live their entire lives indoors, never seeing the light of day.
Dressing and decorating vegan is easier than ever with this: Vegan Fabrics, Materials and Textiles List
Does apple leather have human rights issues?
At this time, there are no known specific reports of worker mistreatment regarding apple production but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Apple leather may or may not have labor issues.
Did you know that the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? Whether agriculture involves crops or animals, the labor behind each and every product made from cotton, leather, wool, etc. cannot go unrecognized.
Sadly, many labor concerns exist around the world in both developed and developing countries. We must be vigilant to ensure what we buy is not contributing to industries that are unfair to their valuable workers.
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve people’s lives simply by being mindful to buy items that are certified fair trade.
So, is apple leather vegan and sustainable? Yes, apple leather is vegan. Apple leather is also sustainable since it is a bio-based leather alternative and repurposes the apple industry’s food waste.
This post was all about answering if apple leather is vegan and sustainable.
Sources:
Apple Leather, Production
CFDA Materials Index: Apple Leather
Is Leather Biodegradable? (A Must Know!)
Grandview Research: Synthetic Leather Market Worth $40.9 Billion By 2027 | CAGR: 4.4%
