Promoting Sustainable Winter Fashion

By: Cassia Baxter

   As the colder months approach, it is important now more than ever to support 

   sustainable fashion brands. 

Fashion has contributed to an increase of 10% in human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and a 20% increase in the amount of wastewater generated worldwide during the last decade. As well as consuming more energy, the fashion industry is also the world's top producer of coal.

Leather is one of the most popular winter gear materials used by fashion brands, but there are other sustainable alternatives. The majority of leather is derived from cows, but it's also made from sheep and goats. According to The Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2020, there were 1.4 billion animal hides and skins used in the global leather industry, which is about one animal for every five people on the planet.

The animals are cleaned of hair and treated to preserve it. The leather is then dyed, embossed, or felt. As it is currently produced, leather production is associated with some serious sustainability problems, such as deforestation, overuse of water and land, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Tanning creates a sludge of chemicals and gasses, including harmful chromium (IV) which contributes to eutrophication. Tannery wastewater often flows untreated into local waterways, and tannery workers, including kids as young as 10 years old, can suffer serious side effects from it.

Another problem is that leather production uses a lot of water. Tanning uses a ton of water and the wastewater from tanning is full of chemicals and other stuff that can pollute the water and cause damage to the environment from these toxic substances.

Sustainable leather production is all about reducing your impact on the environment. It means using less toxic chemicals, using less water, and using more renewable resources in your production. Some of the ways to make sustainable leather are using plant-based tanning agents, recycling wastewater, and using traceability systems so you can be sure that the leather you use is from a sustainable and ethical source.

There are also synthetic alternatives to leather, such as PU (polyurethane), but disposing of PU presents its own environmental challenges. More sustainable alternatives are being developed, including high-quality artificial leathers and PU-based suedes made from recycled polyester with non-toxic colors.

A growing demand for sustainability is helping expose animal exploitation, even if fashion brands have gotten away with it in the past. By shopping secondhand or thrifting, donating, upcycling, recycling, or turning clothes into household rags, you can reduce your fashion footprint.