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Making animals the unsung hero of leather industry.

Kanpur, India | Amritsar, India | Tamilpadi, India
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Harshit Sompura
3 months ago

Description

The global leather and alternative leather industries are at a crossroads — faced with increasing demand for sustainability, ethical sourcing, and ecological accountability. Yet, current solutions fail to address the core challenges.

1. Dependence on Animal-Based Leather:

Traditional leather is derived from livestock farming, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, unethical animal treatment, and deforestation. Over 1.4 billion a...

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Organization

Botanicaluxe: 'Luxury Redefined, Naturally'

Impact

The negative externalities of the traditional and synthetic leather industries significantly impact both human livelihoods and environmental sustainability, especially in marginalized and rural communities: 1. Health and Environmental Hazards to Local Communities: Tanneries, especially in developing countries like India, are often located near rivers or residential zones. The release of untreated toxic effluents containing chromium, formaldehyde, and sulfides into water bodies causes severe health problems such as respiratory diseases, skin disorders, and even cancer. Families living near tannery clusters like those in Kanpur or Tamil Nadu report high rates of waterborne illness and poor air quality. 2. Livelihoods Built on Exploitation and Poor Working Conditions: Leather workers, many of whom are from lower socioeconomic groups or unorganized labor, are subjected to hazardous conditions with minimal safety equipment and low wages. Women and children are often part of these unregulated labor environments, perpetuating generational poverty and inequality. 3. Economic Cost of Environmental Damage: India alone spends over ₹2,500 crore annually on treating water pollution caused by tanneries and allied industries. In contrast, circular economy-based alternatives could reduce this burden by shifting towards non-toxic and eco-safe materials like Botanicaluxe. 4. Misguided Sustainability Claims by PU/PLA Products: Vegan leather made from PLA or PU creates a false sense of sustainability, leading conscious consumers to unknowingly contribute to microplastic pollution and waste accumulation. These materials persist in the environment and do not align with the SDG goals of climate action, responsible consumption, and life below water/land. 5. Market Opportunity for Ethical Alternatives: The global vegan leather market is expected to reach $89.6 billion by 2025, with growing demand from fashion, automotive, and interior industries. However, lack of truly sustainable options slows down the adoption of cleaner supply chains, directly impacting communities seeking employment in ethical, climate-aligned sectors.

Population Affected

>100,000

Problem Poster's Location

Ahmedabad, India

Impacted locations

Sectors

Sustainable Development Goals


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Solution

Bioleather

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Created by Harshit Sompura

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