When certain blue haired activists think of the leather industry, an image of something out of the industrial revolution may come to mind. A messy slaughter house, chemicals everywhere, that sort of thing.
This is the top 5 reasons why they are wrong, and why it matters.
1. Animal Welfare
The leather industry is tightly tied to the beef industry. Therefore, any animal welfare regulations that are placed on the beef industry are also in tandem, placed on the leather industry as well. While we don't directly slaughter the animal, most in the industry would agree with me in the sentiment that we love our bovine friends. In fact, they might just be the most incredible creature on the planet. They are a natural factory for a thousand different products, and they are quite majestic creatures. All this is to say, the image of a heartless workman who uses the leather but never thinks of the animal it came from, or outright hates animals, couldn't be further from the truth.
2. Environmental impact
Tanneries are one of the cleanest types of operations in the world, at least the ones in the USA. When you buy from a quality over quantity brand like Cash&Card Leather Co. you can be sure that we only source our leather from the best tanneries, and almost always from the USA. Places like Horween Leather, Herman Oak, Wicket and Craig, etc. are the optima of environmentally conscious factories. They pride themselves in a clean and sustainable operation.
- You can watch this video on how Herman Oak in Saint Louis Operates
3. Main Product VS Bi Product
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about the leather industry is that animals are slaughtered for their skins. That is not the case. The skins, or hides, are simply a bi product of the beef industry. This means there are no slaughter operations focused on producing hides. By taking those hides, tanning them, and turning them into products for you to buy, we are recycling the leather. If we didn't use it, it would end up in a landfill.
Conclusion
From terrible to wonderful. The leather industry is one of the most environmentally friendly, animal centered industries in the USA. We recycle what would end up in a landfill, and we use it to make incredible products for you to enjoy. And we all absolutely adore our bovine friends!
