what is the difference between vegan leather, pleather, vinyl or real leather?
“Real” leather a.k.a. animal leather
There are 5 processes to turn an animal hide into leather that use over 400 chemicals, including formaldehyde, cyanide and arsenic, which are reported to cause asthma, back pains, bronchitis, chronic dermatitis, DNA damage, and even cancer.
There are many types of “vegan” leather on the market. “Vegan” leather materials do not use animal skins and consist of 2 main categories: Synthetic & Biomaterials
Synthetic or faux leathers most commonly used are polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Made from synthetic plastic polymers and fossil fuels using large amounts of chemicals, water and energy to produce. A plastic coating bonded to a fabric backing is the most common method. These materials undergo intensive chemical processing to add color, texture and protective coatings so they can look and feel like leather.
PVC and vinyl faux leather have extremely high levels of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). VOCs are often components of petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners, and dry cleaning agents. They are also used for the chemicals in the production of faux leather in solvents such as petrol, alcohols etc. People can have reactions to VOC with symptoms of headaches, nausea, or fatigue. PVC releases dioxins (a group of chemical compounds that are highly toxic and can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and can interfere with hormones), which are potentially dangerous in confined spaces and especially dangerous if burnt. It has been described by Greenpeace as the “single most environmentally damaging type of plastic”.
Polyurethane (a.k.a. PU leather or Pleather)
PU leather is “safer” to burn than PVC or vinyl as it contains significantly lower levels of VOCs.
As these products end up in the landfills and start to break down, they leak these harmful dioxins back into the environment polluting our natural resources; our soil, drinking water, and our food chain impacting animals and humans, causing irreparable damage. PU leather takes over 500 years to decompose. Vinyl or PVC never decomposes.
Aiya ayiA does not use animal leather or synthetic materials. We only use plant leather that is so natural you could eat it!
