Mission: Leather is Making People Sick—Help Spread the Word

Posted by Calvin on November 12, 2024

The leather industry doesn’t just abuse and kill cows and other animals all over the world for their skins—it also hurts humans and the planet.

To make leather, animals are torn away from their fams, kept in miserable conditions, slaughtered, and skinned—though sometimes, they’re still conscious and kicking when they’re skinned. 😱 Since leather is animals’ skin, it rots and decomposes, so leather tanneries use extremely dangerous chemicals— like chromium, sulfuric acid, mineral salts, and formaldehyde —to keep this from happening.

Many chemicals used for leather processing have been linked to cancer and other health problems 😷 The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has listed wastes from the leather industry as carcinogens. The toxic groundwater near tanneries puts the lives of anyone in the area at risk, and even leather shoes, handbags, and clothing often contain traces of chromium-6, a carcinogenic heavy metal.

Plus, leather production fuels climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Cattle ranching cuts down so many trees in the Amazon that it releases 340 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year. Animal agriculture—which includes the leather trade—is responsible for nearly a fifth of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, leather made from cow skin contributes more to global warming, water pollution, water depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions than any synthetic or vegan leather. Cow leather has nearly 10 times the negative environmental impact of vegan leathers, such as Piñatex, and nearly six times that of polyurethane, a synthetic vegan fabric.

Earn peta2 Points

Leather is a massive L for all animals, including humans. Let others know that they should ditch leather for their own good—you can help save animals and the planet and earn 15 peta2 points at the same time. 😁 Follow these steps:

1. Share this mission with a friend by texting them the link or posting it on social media.

2. Take a screenshot of your text or post and submit it for 15 peta2 points. (Heads-up: You’ll only get points once for taking this action.)

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