...cow-free, yes, but what about the 
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
We must remember that the vegan leather is a fake substance made, more often than not, from a plastic of sorts. Not very green now, is it?
Most synthetic materials, if not indeed all, are petroleum-based in one way or the other and therefore environmentally friendly they are not.
If you want non-leather belts – as a vegan or vegetarian – why then not use canvas belts like the kind that are worn by the US military and other forces?Why have a pretend leather belt (or shoes)?
The material for most fake leather belts, and the same is true to a great degree for shoes, unless they are the fake suede, which is a different kind of plastic, is polyurethane and while better than the old polyvinyl chloride (PVC) PU is definitely not environmentally friendly. It is a petroleum product.
With the end of cheap oil on the horizon those of the vegan and vegetarian groups better have a closer look at whether or not they want to continue to use such materials. While no cows may be harmed in the making of their belts and shoes the environment definitely is being harmed.
While the Franciscan Brother idea of using a hemp rope as a belt – it works, so why not – may be going a little too far anyone wishing to have an alternative to real leather should check from what materials the fake leather goods are made. Most of the materials have a serious impact on the Planet and thus should be left out of the equation.
The hemp rope, thus, in another way, may not be all that far fetched and, in fact, as I have mentioned already, belts of the stable-belt kind worn by the military with the American slide buckles might just be an idea and might also be the only real alternative.
When it comes to leather-free shoes, and considering the materials again for fake leather, the only stuff that is feasible is canvass and felt.
Once cheap oil is gone there will no longer be the alternative available in fake lookalike leather and it will either have to be leather again (what other are you going to make the soles from) or other natural materials that may be not as well suited as is leather.
Some food for thought, methinks...
© 2010
