As of now, leather shoes are considered to be the most graceful of footwear options available. Not only do these shoes look really good, they are also very comfortable. Yet these shoes are not the best choice for everyone. Production of leather shoes involves considerable negative impact on the environment and the health of leather industry workers.
The environmental impact involves usage of chromium and other harmful chemicals in the tanning process. The tanneries and shoe making plants also cause significant air pollution through emission of hydrogen sulphide while dehairing, ammonia while deliming and various solvent vapors while washing.
With all this and more, leather shoes are definitely not the best choice. There are various alternatives to leather shoes available in the market.
The first option is vegetable tanned leather. It is much more eco-friendly than animal leather. The problem is that it is also extremely expensive. Its environmental impact is restricted to that which is caused due to rearing of livestock. Vegetable tanned leather is created using the microfiber obtained from plants. It is the best choice for you if you are not in favor of the cruelty that animasl have to suffer from in creation of leather. The product is just like suede in appearance. In fact, it is suede in all but name.
Fish leather is the second alternative here. As projected by its name, this product is made of fish skin. The product is easily available because of the large scale global fishing industry which creates fish skin as a normal byproduct. The product is produced by a different tanning method. It involves soaking fish hide for removing the flesh and odor from it. This is followed by dyeing with vegetable dyes. Fish skin is much stronger and long lasting than conventional leather. The tanning process for fish skin is way simpler and therefore has much less environmental impact. Moreover, the final product is not as expensive as vegetable tanned leather.
Another viable option that has been in use for quite some time now is cork. The primary use of cork has been in making the heel of shoes. With research and development in cork industry a new type of cork leather or cork fiber has been developed which is very good for the nature. The product has been used in making alternatives to leather jackets as well. This cork leather is very durable which increases its usability for shoes.
Another option that will soon be available is ocean leather. It is derived from kelp. This product is under some fast paced research and will be available in market very soon. These alternatives provide you an option to escape the ills of leather without losing its grace and durability.
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