Guide to Sustainable Leather

Sustainable leather is a more environmentally-friendly method of producing leather, produced as a byproduct of local farms instead of commercial factories. It’s considered more environmentally & ethically-friendly because it is sourced from local farms with fewer emissions and better living conditions, and their hide is secondary to their status as farm animals. This minimizes waste and resource usage, another glaring environmental problem. Furthermore, the tanning process for sustainable leather is absent of the toxic chemicals that are common in traditional leather production.

But the production process of sustainable leather doesn’t end there. In addition to the environmental considerations, social equity plays a big role. Anyone involved in the supply chain must also be treated & paid fairly. This includes living wages, safe working conditions, and the promotion of long-term growth & wellbeing. Conscious consumers want to play their part in protecting the planet, and tend to prefer sustainable leather products because of its reduced carbon footprint, excess waste, and energy consumption.

At Latico, we ethically source our sustainable leather from local farmers who treat their animals with care & respect. These farms produce a higher-quality leather at a fraction of the environmental impact. We also offer prime fair-trade prices to these farmers, ensuring they’re compensated fairly to provide for their families. Similarly, every Latico bag is handcrafted by talented artisans in South America & India, every one of which is paid a living wage. From farm to closet, our process of creating handbags is sustainable and responsible.

HOW IS SUSTAINABLE LEATHER MADE?

The process of making sustainable leather prioritizes ethical & environmental considerations throughout the entire process: sourcing, production, and stitching.

Sourcing Sustainable Materials

Instead of using hides from mass-farmed animals, sustainable leather originates from small, regenerative farms that value animal welfare and biodiversity. The animals are raised as they normally would be, and the leather is a byproduct of the meat industry that’s already taking place on a local level – no part of the animal goes to waste.

We work exclusively with local farmers to ensure all animals are treated fairly and that the farmers themselves are running clean, safe and fair farm facilities. By doing this, we're able to ensure that your 100% leather product is not only sustainable, but the highest quality available.

Non-Toxic Tanning

Conventional tanning methods use toxic chemicals, like chromium salts, to stabilize the leather and make it usable for leather goods. But these types of tanneries and chemicals pose massive health & environmental risks to workers, consumers, and the planet, even being labeled as a carcinogen in some cases.

But sustainable leather production opts for more eco-friendly tanning methods that utilize recycled water & organic compounds to achieve the same result by hand. These processes have a much lower environmental impact and are safer for workers & consumers.

Human-Centric Stitching

After processing, leather is stitched into handbags and other leather goods. In many cases, the workers in these sewing factories are subject to unsafe conditions, low wages, and long hours. But aligned with our commitment to sustainability, each artisan is compensated & treated fairly, resulting in a higher quality of life for everyone involved.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE LEATHER INDUSTRY

The global impact of leather production is huge. Some of the biggest concerns of real leather production include water use, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and labor conditions. At Latico, we address each of these concerns head on working only with trusted, local farmers, safe manufacturers, and handcrafting artisans.

• Water Use – The production of leather is water-intensive, especially during the soaking, fleshing, and tanning stages. Traditional processes use thousands of gallons of water to produce just 1 pound of raw hide. At Latico, we use recycled water to prevent waste and reduce energy consumption.

• Deforestation – Most of the raw material leather for leather comes from cattle and calves, but is also made from sheep, lambs, goats, and pigs. Raising livestock requires plenty of space for grazing, growing, and breeding. As a result, forests are cut down to clear space for farming & other agricultural activities. The resulting loss in biodiversity and carbon sinks pose a significant environmental threat. We purchase our raw materials from pre-existing farms in rural areas, meaning we don’t contribute to any active deforestation.
  
  

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Trees must be cleared to create pastures for cattle & other animals, but the damage doesn’t end there. Livestock farming accounts for an estimated 15% of all global emissions, with commercial, profit-first farms playing the heaviest role. We refuse to work with these types of farms, opting to work with small, family-run farms that place human & animal welfare above profit. As a result, they produce higher-quality leathers than those manufactured at scale.
  
  

• Labor Conditions – The fashion industry as a whole has long been associated with poor working conditions, especially in developing countries where regulations are not well-enforced. Workers often face health risks from exposure to harmful chemicals used in tanning and are usually subject to unfair wages & labor practices. Each artisan that crafts Latico bags operates in safe conditions and is paid a living wage to support them & their families.