New Insights on Leather’s Environmental Impact

Below are specific comparative data:

1. CO₂ Emissions and Global Warming Potential (GWP)
- CO₂ equivalent emissions for 1 kg of cow leather: 22 kg CO₂-eq

- Compared to synthetic materials:

+ PU (Polyurethane) faux leather: 15 - 20 kg CO₂-eq, depending on energy sources.

+ PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) faux leather: 30 - 40 kg CO₂-eq, including emissions from chemical waste treatment.

=> Emission reduction strategies proposed in the report:

- Switching to 100% renewable energy can reduce CO₂ emissions by 3.43% (down to 21.2 kg CO₂-eq).

- Reducing chemical use by 30% can lower CO₂ emissions by 6.37% (down to 20.6 kg CO₂-eq).

2. Water Use & Water Consumption
- Water consumption for 1 kg of cow leather: 11.3 m³

59% of this comes from livestock farming, which can be better managed.

- Compared to synthetic materials:

+ PU consumes about 5 - 10 m³ of water but has poor recyclability.

+ PVC consumes ~3 - 6 m³, but its chemical additives cause higher water pollution.

3. Freshwater Ecotoxicity
- Cow leather has a toxicity score of 256 CTUe (Comparative Toxic Unit for ecosystems).

- Chemicals account for 33.8% of the total impact, but a 30% reduction in chemicals can lower ecotoxicity by 23.36%.

- Synthetic materials (PU, PVC) have higher toxicity due to persistent chemical additives like phthalates and isocyanates.

4. Fossil Fuel Depletion (Abiotic Depletion, Fossil Fuels)
- Cow leather’s impact: 140 MJ of fossil fuel energy per kg

- 44.9% of this comes from chemicals, meaning that tanning process improvements can significantly reduce this impact.

- Compared to synthetic materials:

+ PU requires about 200 - 250 MJ/kg due to petroleum-based production.

+ PVC requires around 180 - 220 MJ/kg.

5. Material Efficiency & Product Lifecycle
- Cow leather is a byproduct of the meat industry, maximizing resource utilization instead of relying on virgin fossil-based materials.

- Leather lasts significantly longer than PU/PVC, with a lifespan of decades if properly maintained, whereas PU/PVC typically lasts only 3-5 years before cracking and degrading.

Key Takeaways
✔ Cow leather’s CO2 emissions are much lower than estimated, especially when optimising production processes.
✔ Many of leather’s environmental impact factors are lower or comparable to PU/PVC, while its biggest advantage is biodegradability and longevity.
✔ Process optimization in leather manufacturing can significantly reduce its footprint, making it a more sustainable choice than synthetic materials.

 Sustainability isn’t just about marketing claims – it’s about the choices you make! Be a smart consumer, prioritize products that are high-quality, long-lasting, and environmentally responsible.