Wieso Echtleder und Tierschutz nicht konträr sein muss
So gehen Echtleder und Tierschutz Hand in Hand
For sustainable and environmentally friendly production of clothing and accessories, we need to look at the industry as a whole. Of course, real leather is made from animal skin. This cannot be denied and anyone who aspires to a vegan lifestyle will find no argument as to how leather products fit into this value system. But environmental protection, animal welfare and real leather do not have to be in conflict with one another. Real leather is a natural product and, under certain conditions, 100 percent biodegradable. It is also a valuable by-product of the meat industry and without the tanning and leather industry, this by-product would have to be disposed of as waste.
ANIMAL PROTECTION THROUGH CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION
In Germany and Europe, almost 100 percent of all hides and skins that are processed into leather in tanneries come from the food industry. Disposing of these would be more harmful to our environment than producing leather goods from them.
As long as meat is produced for consumption, there will also be animal hides that can be used to make high-quality leather products. It is of course important to take a close look at the way animals are kept, both in the leather and food industries. The meat industry is also subject to strict animal welfare regulations. Consumers who pay attention to where meat and leather come from and specifically support responsible companies can contribute to animal welfare.
Animal welfare and environmental protection: Natural product leather
The leather industry has made great progress in recent years in developing environmentally friendly production technologies. Thanks to strict regulations and subsidies, the European tanning industry has become the world market leader in terms of environmental friendliness and sustainability. The guidelines and standards regarding animal welfare are also being monitored more and more strictly. Animal welfare is an important factor in the leather industry and must never be ignored!
Reports of violations of these requirements often appear in the media. However, these are regrettable exceptions and by no means the rule.
Animal welfare also plays a selfish role in the industry: only the skin of healthy, uninjured animals can be processed into high-quality leather. That is why it is important to support the right tanneries and leather goods manufacturers. They produce high-quality leather, their production processes are transparent and their actions are responsible.
Anyone who buys sustainably produced leather goods is investing in particularly durable, long-lasting products instead of relying on cheap disposable plastic goods.
TANNING: A TRADITIONAL CRAFT
Tanning, i.e. the conversion of raw and perishable animal skin into resistant and durable leather, is one of the oldest handicrafts known to mankind. It is striking that leather production was widespread among almost all peoples around the world from an early stage. As early as 170,000 years ago, people were using the hides of hunted and killed animals to make things like clothing, accessories and musical instruments. Not only the tanning process , but also the origin of the hides that are processed into tanned leather plays a role. The majority of the hides processed by German tanners are of European origin and are subject to certain purchasing guidelines, including animal welfare.
Leather production and animal welfare: transparency of supply chains
The hunters 170,000 years ago knew where their leather came from, after all they had hunted and slaughtered the animals themselves. Today, regulated systems are required to make supply chains traceable. At the tanneries that BRAUN BÜFFEL works with, traceability to the slaughterhouse can always be guaranteed. In Germany, animal welfare is enshrined in the constitution . No animal should ever suffer for the production of meat and leather. No wild, exotic or specially kept animals may be killed for leather production. Species-appropriate husbandry also affects the quality of the leather: the structure of the skin of an animal that has been kept on pastures is much better. If animal welfare is important to you, you should always pay attention to the traceability of supply chains and only invest in high-quality leather that comes from species-appropriate husbandry. These products are also more beautiful and more durable. An investment that is worthwhile on all levels!
Lifetime repair service
Traditional craftsmanship
Free shipping from 30€ MBW
Free returns
Official Brand Shop