How different industries are turning waste material into everyday products Did you know it is nearly impossible to live a completely vegan life? Veganism is a popular lifestyle, often chosen for its alleged health benefits and love of animals. However, simply adopting a vegan diet, does not rule out the possibility you are still using products containing animal-origin elements on a daily basis… However, this is not something to worry about! At Royal Smit & Zoon we think it is a good thing that waste from one industry is being upcycled and repurposed in others. Take the meat industry as an example. Even with more people adopting a vegan diet, global meat consumption per capita is still increasing. Cows, among other livestock, are being slaughtered to feed this demand. After all of the meat has been removed from the carcass, waste materials of various types remain. Out of respect for the animal, we should try and use all of its resources, instead of discarding its waste. Repurposing waste Out of respect for the animal, we should try and use all of its resources, instead of discarding its waste. The hide, for instance, can be treated responsibly and made into long lasting leather. At Royal Smit & Zoon we work hard to provide sustainable tanning agents and treatments, to create beautiful and even circular leather. Other industries repurpose waste from the meat industry into (ingredients of) a number of widely used everyday products, too. Ranging from collagen used for cosmetics, to horns used as ingredient for plant food or conditioner. Making informed decisions By creating awareness, Royal Smit & Zoon hopes to help you make an informed decision. Before you go vegan, or abandon leather products, think about the alternative (“vegan leather” is usually plastic-based!) and the implications. As long as people are eating meat, leather is a responsible and sustainable choice. It is a natural waste product from the meat industry, which otherwise would end up in landfill and be burned off… Which is obviously a lot worse for the environment than repurposing it into a long-lasting material for people to wear and enjoy! Interesting for you Discover more on Leather Vegan leather, it is mostly a nonsense name. A marketing phrase. In a recent article published in the Volkskrant, one of the leading Dutch quality newspapers, leather is being compared to so called sustainable alternatives. A well-founded commentary to a, often, misleading narrative. Leather is being reinvented for car interiors Leather is experiencing a revival—this time, with a stronger emphasis on sustainability and responsible sourcing. Making Leather: Recycling a Byproduct A big misconception is that animals are being bred for leather. When it comes to cow leather, that is never the case. The hides that are used to create cow leather are a by product from the meat and dairy industry. Leather Discover Stay informed Receive the latest company news and industry updates Subscribe Share this:
