The truth behind sustainable leather

Every year we see companies advertise themselves as going green, but what does this mean? Sustainable fashion is a move to ethically source materials and manufacture products in a way that reduces their negative environmental impact. Here at JoHeath, we want to help design a positive change, that’s why we use fish leather for our bags and accessories. Curious to learn more? Here’s a peek at what goes on behind the scenes in the fashion industry                       

The Impact of Leather

The use of animal leather has incredibly destructive consequences on our planet. With ties to the livestock sector and agricultural land use, the production of leather contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and plays a big role in climate change. During the tanning and the dying process, factories using non-biodegradable chemicals and dyes often experience leaks, putting water systems at risk, contaminating nearby communities, and harming the workers themselves. 

                                    

Sustainable Leather Usage

From day one, JoHeath has been committed to reducing our impact with socially and ethically conscious practices. Sustainable leather is a remnant of the food industry made by manufacturers who have adopted eco-friendly practices.

Due to market fluctuations, hides are often valued as zero leading many businesses to burn or dispose of them in landfills. If not repurposed, these become waste. Solely using leather that is a by-product of the meat industry, our materials do not contribute to the disruption of the land but seek to lower the effects of leather production on the environment.

                                                   

We partner with LWG Gold Rated Tanneries that follow environmental regulations and factories that have been SMETA approved and are SA8000 certified. But what does this all mean? LWG is an auditing group that sets responsible practices for chemical management, solid and liquid waste disposal, and energy consumption. Certified by LWG, our tanneries do not release waste into water systems, use fewer energy resources, and use natural chemical compounds during production.

                                                      

Once the material arrives at our factories, it is transformed by employees who are treated well and fairly compensated for their work. With SMETA and SA8000 certifications, our team follows environmentally friendly practices, does not exploit children or bonded labor, pays their employees above minimum wage, offer free lunches, and include PF, ESI, gratuity, bonuses as specified by local laws.


You may also like

View all
Example blog post
Example blog post
Example blog post