Is leather a sustainable choice ?
Absolutely yes!
In the current landscape, sustainability has become the buzzword for many industries, and the fashion industry is no exception.
Contrary to common perception, the use of leather is a sustainable choice, especially when considered within the broader context of a circular economy.
Where does the skin we use come from?
No animal is killed for its skin!
Leather used in leather goods comes from food industry waste, which, after the tanning process, can be used as new raw materials instead of being disposed of as waste, thus continuing their life cycle in a circular economy perspective. Each year worldwide, tanneries recover a total of about 1,700 square kilometers of raw leather (equivalent to 8 million tons), the disposal of which as waste would produce 5 million tons of greenhouse gases.
Can the same be said of PVC or PU leather-like materials produced from scratch but considered "environmentally friendly" ?
The durability of leather is another characteristic that makes it a sustainable choice. Unlike many synthetic materials that deteriorate quickly over time, leather can last for decades with proper care. This longevity means that leather products require less frequent replacement than their synthetic equivalents, thus reducing the overall environmental impact.
In addition, technological innovation is helping to make the tanning industry increasingly sustainable. Waste from tanning processing can be recovered and reused in agriculture, construction, cosmetics, food, etc..
Finally, processes such as vegetable tanning, the use of natural dyes and the use of renewable energy sources are becoming more and more common, reducing the environmental impact of the tanning industry that is increasingly projected toward sustainability.
What is our approach to sustainability?
- The leather we use for our products come only from certified Tuscan tanneries that follow the highest standards of environmental friendliness and energy conservation such as reducing water consumption, improving wastewater treatment, recovering solid waste and reducing chemical use.
- All products and materials are 100% Made in Italy, our suppliers are all Italian, almost all from Tuscany. We receive and ship everything from the same place, our only location, thanks to this we contain the pollution involved in transportation and support true Made in Italy.
- The materials we use are of the highest quality, and our products are well and carefully made, so they are durable. Treat them well and you can use them for many, many years.
- All our linings are made of recycled cotton.
- We reuse scraps by giving them new life as small leather goods, key chains, card holders that will soon be for sale here as well.
- We reintegrate waste into the production system: new technologies make it possible to reduce leather waste to powder, separate it from chemicals such as chromium, and blend it with plant polymers to create new synthetic materials in which the percentage of leather is greater than 60 percent.
By doing so, waste can become raw materials again and feed the circular system.