- Gone Sustainable
- Jun 8, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 5, 2023
Currently, there are many products that use leather as its core material but it is also found within many more. This includes belts, shoes, wallets, bag sand jackets, just to name a few, so as I am sure you are aware there is a lot of leather out there. This largely comes down to the ‘high end’ ‘quality’ look and feel the majority of people believe it achieves. However, for ethical and environmental reasons leather is certainly not good at all. A common misconception with leather is the belief that leather is a by-product of the meat industry but this is simply not true. Most leathers come from animals that are killed primarily for their skin and not as a by-product, even as a by-product it is still not ethical. Additionally to this, the process to tanning leather uses a lot of toxic chemicals, which has further impacts on the environment. This is why I have been looking for an eco-friendly, ethical alternative that is sustainable, as a replacement for leather. To do this I have looked at the ‘Cradle-to-cradle’ approach, which looks at the life cycle of the product from its source, through its manufacture to its end of life and if this can be recycled, renew or reused in some way. For these reasons I have omitted faux leather, which is often made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) a plastic made to look like leather, as its production is a carbon-intensive process and isn’t biodegradable. Anyway, here are 12 sustainable, cruelty free alternatives to leather:
Cork:
This is probably my favourite alternative and possibly the fastest growing in popularity in recent years. It is a great sustainable material made from the bark of a cork oak tree. The bark is harvested in a way that does not affect the tree allowing the bark to regrow, making it sustainable. There are many different ways the cork is pressed to form the material, which give slightly different looks with both a light and dark finish. To me it gives an earthy elegant look, which is a lot better than leather. Cork is naturally weatherproof, durable and recyclable at the end of its life, further making it a great choice. I have seen it made into wallets, briefcases, belts, bags and even umbrellas. This natural material is probably one of the most eco-friendly materials on this list making it my first choice.
Tree Bark Leather:
This is much like cork and comes from fast growing, sustainable timber and renewable forests or woods. This creates a durable and strong wood leather material, which is often created into a fabric like material called bark cloth or bark fleece. This may not always be waterproof but this feature can be achieved with non-toxic chemical on some items. If you want a more flexible material this may be a great option. I have seen this been made into jackets, coats and other clothing items.
Paper:
This is another one that has increased in popularity and although initially surprising it can achieve strength to that of leather. Additionally, as most of you know paper can be recyclable and made from recycled material, well this is no different for the paper products that can replace leather. The leather like paper itself often uses canvas to strengthen the material and natural oils to soften it and make it flexible. This gives it, its unique look and as it is paper a variety of colours, patterns and designs can be applied to it. I have seen bags, purses and wallets all use this material. The most well-known is the Mighty Wallet, which is known for its extreme durability and strength.
Recycled Rubber:
Another great choice is rubber, which is more of an acute style but provides a matt leathery look. As this is commonly from recycled material, it is often coloured black, which is fine if you like that but you also may not. It has a unique texture that some people don’t like the feel of too but again some might. However, some believe it has a similar texture and density of leather and is a great alternative for bags, belts and accessories. Additionally, the core rubber material often comes from old inner tubes and other recycled rubber that is upcycled.
Recycled tyres – I thought I would mention this as a sub section due to the prominence it has in fashion. I am sure you must have seen belts, guitar straps and jewellery accessories made out of old bike tires, which again provide a unique look with a recycled material.
Piñatex:
Piñatex is a very unique material made from pineapple plant leaves. This is a 100% eco-friendly product and uses an often unused by-product of the pineapple farming industry. This creates a secondary source of income for the farmers and is sustainable. The material looks like worn leather, is watertight and does not need any toxic chemicals in its processing. I have seen this mainly be used for shoes and bags but can be made into dressed, skirts and other items. This is a great option as it is both ethical and sustainable.
Waxed Cotton:
This one may be a bit more tricky and you should do some research, as to where you are getting the product from. However, there are companies that provide waxed cotton that is both organic and sustainable. Cotton on its own is not waterproof and that is why it is waxed. This creates a material that is waterproof and as cotton and wax are easier to clean than leather the process in its formation is easier to wash, which reduces the amounts of potentially harmful cleaning chemicals. As this is fabric based it is much more pliable than leather and others on this list, allowing it to be applied in more products. Some well-known brands make some high-end products with this unique texture and look. I have seen this primarily used for jackets, hats and bags.
Coolstone ‘Leather’:
What do you mean a cloth made from stone? That’s impossible right? Well, Coolstone ‘leather is made from an extremely thin sewable layer of slate stone onto a fleece material. This again is very unique and provides a well-worn leathery look that feels like paper and stone. As it gets older the distressed look increases, further improving the well-worn look. Due to it being made from slate stone It always comes in a matte black/grey finish, which gets softer with age. This is a new emerging material that needs more development but is a great looking alternative to leather.
Ocean Leather:
This one is fascinating but unfortunately I haven’t seen many companies use it. It is a natural material that comes from the ocean, specifically from leather kelp (large brown tough seaweed). To be sustainable it involves growing this plant in a farmed section of the ocean but there is already an abundance of it that exists and as above it is still in its early stages of development. However, the kelp does not use pesticide lessening its environmental impact. Once collected it is often dyed to be a more appeasing colour but this can be done with natural, eco-friendly dyes.
MuSkin:
This is an odd one and some people may not like the idea of it but I believe it is a great alternative. You may have guessed from the name but this comes from mushrooms. To be precise it used the inedible mushroom specifically Phellinus Elliposideus cap that grows on tree trunks. Once harvested the mushroom cap go through a similar process of leathering but instead of using toxic chemicals, natural eco-friendly alternative can be used. In this process the material can also be made water-repellent. This finished material creates an earthy looking products that looks similar to suede but is much softer. I have seen this used for bags, hats and purses but will hopefully see a lot more of it in the not too distant future.
The Hana Plant (Agave Plant):
This again is a lesser-known alternative but still makes it way on the list. The reason for it being on the list is because it’s simplistic, elegant minimalistic look that I love. This uses the fibres from the thick leaves of the Hana Plant that can be grown sustainably. They are woven together to produce a thick fabric. I have seen seller’s state this is good for the local communities where it is grown and is Peta approved, further increasing it eco-friendliness. However, if you pick an item up with it, try to ensure that is uses natural, certified dyes on the product.
Teak Leaves:
This is another interesting one and the one that I believe connects the most with nature (visually), so if you are like that, I would recommend this one. This uses natural raw teak leaves that are able to withstand tropical storms, so are naturally strong, durable and water resistant. This material has a natural look similar to that you could see on the jungle or forest floor. I have mostly seen it been used to create purses or bags.
Fruit leather:
Fruit leathers are much like some of the alternatives I have previously mentioned. This uses the skins and seeds (the left over bits) of fruit (Apple, Orange and grapes) to create a durable leather like material. This can be tear and water resistant making it durable and hardy. As it is from fruit it is a sustainable by-product, which also makes it a great choice. One of the top fruit leather is:
Wineleather- This is made from grape marc, which is the leftover bit from the winemaking process (Consisting of grape skins and seeds), processed in an environmentally friendly way to make a leather. This often has a rich red, burgundy look, which may be to your liking.
This goes to show that there are a number of alternatives that could be used and adopted to stop the use of leather. I understand that some of these may be hard to find or get your hands on, as they are still in development and growing in the market. However, with higher demand they will become more easily accessible and prominent in the industry. There are 12 alternative on this list and I would be incredibly surprised if you could not get hold of the item you want with one of these. For this reason and the ethical reasons you should really consider them not only for the ethics but because they provide a great fashion alternative. When purchasing any items always look at the company, as they are often proud to proclaim they are animal/ cruelty free, vegan friendly and often demonstrate other incentives such as planting more than they take to better help in the world. If you are looking for alternatives to leather I applaud your dedication to begin to help the environment and animal welfare but do make sure to do some research first. Just because it uses a potentially sustainable product doesn’t mean It is sustainable and ethical. An example of this is many of these plants are sustainable unless they are over harvests depleting their number and their impact on their respective ecosystems. Finally, I hope there is at least one alternative on this list that you want to learn about and possibly even start using as an alternative to leather not only for ethical reasons but also the wider environmental reason.
- Gone Sustainable
- May 24, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 5, 2023
The importance of bees should be without question and many of you may already know why we should save them. However, even now as it is slowly (too slowly) being brought to our attention the reasons why we need to pay more attention to their numbers and the fact they are depleting shows we need to do more. Before I go on, to clarify, bees are important because through their goal to obtain pollen and nectar for food, they pollinate millions of plants in the process. This is important because this leads to the production of seeds for more plants to grow and even for the fruit to develop for us to eat. If you are still not convinced the reason this is important is because these plants produce the oxygen we breathe and help to combat the large amounts of carbon emissions we produce. Further to this, there are the millions of plants that are gorgeous to look at and should be able to survive in an environment that is theirs as much it is ours, that also gives our wildlife a home. So for this reason we need to help the bees to not just survive but thrive, making the bigger question ‘how can we help the bees?’
Here is how you can help the bees today!
There can many steps to helping bees without invest a lot of time and money in becoming a full time beekeeper or devoting your life to their development. Although there is the famous honey bees there are actually nearly 20,000 different types. In the UK the majorities are solitary bees like the Bumblebee, which do not live in large colonies. There are many easy measures you can take that will contribute to bees success and increasing there numbers but here are a few of them:
Try not to kill them:
Sounds silly I know but a lot of people are afraid of bees and more so getting stung by them. This is completely rational but that doesn’t mean you should swat, hit or squash them or take a hose to their nest because you think they are too close to your house or your space. At the very least the best thing you can do is leave the bees be. If they have intruded too much then get a professional bee keeper who will often be happy to collect the bees to take them to a safer and better place for them to start a colony. Remember bees live everywhere outside, so we are sharing our space with them.
Habitat:
Now, this doesn’t have to be a hive in your back garden but there is more than one type of bee. You may have seen them in shops but you can get small bug huts, which is great for solitary bees. Otherwise, you could take up bee keeping and invest in a bee hive. Before you panic though, investing in a bug hut does not invite a swarm of bees in your back garden but provides a habitat for insect to rest and stay. This includes insect that pollinate your garden, importantly the solitary bees, which make up over 90% of the UK’s bee species. Look for a spot that catches the sun in the morning but remains a shady and cool place all day, which gives cover from predators (birds, snakes, rats). Also, ensure that the bug hut sits in a position it will not receive too much rain and allows for water to drip away and not sit, which could potentially drown the occupants. Many bees will also lay their larva in this, so you are supporting the next generation of bees.
Planting:
There are many plants that help bees through the amount of pollen and nectar they offer and the longevity of the plant throughout the year. By providing these in your garden you are helping the bees to collect the pollen and nectar they need. Some of my top choices are lavender, Dahlia, Foxgloves, Sweet Williams, bluebells, Sunflowers and Thyme just to name a few. If you want some more information on some of these, please go to my post on “Top Plants for bees”
Food and water:
In the summer bees work incredibly hard. This can lead to them running out of energy and becoming dehydrated. You can help them through providing a pit stop for them to rehydrate and to give them an energy boost. To do this make a sugar water solution (RSPB suggest two tablespoons of white granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water) and put it on a small plate or spoon in your garden. This rehydrates the bee and gives it energy to continue on its task of collecting pollen and thus pollinating your plants. However, be careful not to have the water too deep, as the bees may drown. If you do this, be sure to send me a picture or video of your bees with #feedthebees.
Support your local beekeeper:
If you want to continue and go the extra mile give your support to your local beekeeper. This can be through donations to them, buying their raw and natural honey or buying their other bee products. This will often taste better than mass produced honey, is better for the environment and means the beekeeper can obtain more hives, meaning more bees for the environment in your area. If possible, support a beekeeper who does not use a smoker to be more ethical.
Promote the bee:
Finally, try to promote the bee as much as you can. I don’t think it’s best to go around “preaching” about bees but if it comes up in conversation always try to persuade people to do more. Especially, if you have kids get them to recognise the importance of bees, so the next generation has a better understand of how and why you should take care of them. Even buying products with a bee symbols can increase their prominence and hopefully make people take more notice of these beautiful and amazing creature and all they do for us.
One more thing to note is to be wary of the products you purchase and the impact this may have on bees. For example many fruit and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides that kill bees, so should be avoided if possible. Also, mass produced honey can be unethical and actually more damaging, so be wary of this. I hope I gave you something to think about and some easy and useful ways you can help bees. Always try to remember what bees do for our planet, plants and agriculture and to implement some of the tips above to help them thrive. Anyway, I would love to see what you have done, so make sure to send me pictures and videos of how you have helped bees on my social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) with #supportthebees #Helpthebees #Bee-kind #feedthebees #plantforthebees and any other tags that will get more people’s attention.
- Gone Sustainable
- May 22, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 4, 2023
There is often a long debate on whether animals that are extincted in the wild should be reintroduced. Well, as there are recent talks to whether the Lynx should be introduced into the UK I thought I would weigh in. The primary concerns with reintroducing the Lynx are the effects it might have on other animals and on the local environment. However, on the other hand there is huge debate about the large cat being part of British heritage and our history, so therefore should be reintroduced. Here, I look at what the Lynx is, why it became extincted in the UK, why it is potentially being reintroduced and the objections to this.
So, what is a Lynx?
The Lynx is four species of medium-sized wild cats, which includes the bobcat. The name “Lynx” originated in Middle England via Latin. The cat is a carnivorous mammal that is between 22-44lb, approximately 1.2 meters in length and is a solitary animal. One, of the notable features of the Lynx is the tufts of hair on top of its ears that helps to improve their hearing.
What is being introduced?
There are current talks to reintroduce 6 Eurasian Lynx (4 female, 2 male) from Sweden to the UK, as part of the reintroduction projects for predators. The plan is to introduce the Lynxes to the Kielder Forest in Northumberland, which has 250 square miles covered by forest. Each Lynx will be fitted with a GPS collar and introduce over a 5-year trial.
Why did they become extinct?
There are debates to the actual reason why they went extinct in the UK but the two main reasons are; hunting and habitat loss, both of course being caused by humans (so it is our fault). They have been absent from the UK for over 1,000 years but do remain in many European countries. After recent reforestation in Northern UK, it is believed the environment created will be able to sustain the wild cats.
What are the main concerns?
There a number of concerns with introducing the feral cats into Northern England. This is mainly from sheep associations and the farming community. Additionally, there are debates about the current wildlife and the affect it might have on them, as well as the money spent on the introduction of these wild cats that could be used to help the current wildlife. The main concern for the current wildlife is with the deer population but this is countered by the fact that the Lynx’s will help to control the rise in their population benefitting the wild. Additionally, although the local residence are excited about the prospect of the Lynx being introduced they are concerned over the safety for themselves and their pets. Finally, it is still unclear whether the area and wildlife will be enough to support them.
What do I think?
Personally, I think it would be great to see such an amazing creature once part of our heritage brought back to the wild. I believe prior to the full introduction of these animals there needs to be proper studies to understand the problems that may arise and if these can be mitigated or be counted as beneficial. This is mainly the effects to the current, possibly endangered wildlife in the areas they are planned to be introduced. Having said this, I believe we have a duty to rehabilitate the wild cat, due to it extinction being caused by us (humans). Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts and input on it, so message me on social media or in the comments below. Do you think the UK should reintroduce the Eurasian Lynx? Do you think the Kielder Forest can sustain the 6 wild cats? Do you think the surrounding wildlife will be adversely affected?
