Leather is a really interesting case and illustrates the tight bind that you can get into with these types of decisions.

Ecology versus Ethics

Are all ecologically sound products necessarily ethically sound?  Are all ethically sound products necessarily ecologically sound?  There is not a balance in this equation.  It's also vital to know more about a product than simply the component materials.  Leather can be made in more ecologically sound ways and being naturally derived will tend to have a lower embodied energy.  Vegans, however, would certainly dispute its ethical credentials!

Animal Products

Is it unethical to consume animal products?  As a non-vegan, I would answer no.  On the other hand, meat consumption is alarmingly high and meat has a significantly higher footprint than the equivalent calories of vegetables.  With leather, perhaps the ideal is the use of leather which is a bi-product of the meat-industry, reducing waste.

We simply don't know!

The endless challenge is actually finding out the information.  Sure, I can theorise that some leather products may fit my values but the reality is that so few products are provided with sufficient information to clearly choose.

The real dilemma...

The final choice is always, "Do I give this product the benefit of the doubt?  Or do I err on the side of caution?".  Help! 

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