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After scarcity, cost was the driving factor behind the development of early faux leather alternatives. The production of leather โ from the raising and eventual slaughter of the animals to tanning and dyeing the hides, to the skilled craftsmanship of leatherworking โ is a very long, resource-intense and laborious process.
Since it costs a lot more to make, it also costs a lot more to buy, and in the 20th Century (and even now), consumers and designers were hungry for a cheaper alternative โ a way to achieve the look without the hefty price tag.
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The last few decades have seen a growing number of people โwake upโ and realise the effects of climate change, pollution and resource exploitation on our world. Less concerned with cost, eco-minded people began to demand low-impact alternatives to leather.
Itโs no secret that agriculture โ including livestock raising โ is one of the industries with the highest carbon footprint. Intensive industrial farming is also responsible for such problems as deforestation, eutrophication, and soil degradation. This is another reason some people decided to take a hard pass on real leather products and seek a greener alternative.
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Another fairly recent motivating factor is the rise of vegetarianism and veganism, and the drive to be animal-free or cruelty-free. Those who follow this lifestyle avoid consuming any products derived from animals in any way, from everything as obvious as eating steak to the more subtle things like not using natural cosmetics coloured with cochineal, an insect-based pigment.
For animal activists, vegans and vegetarians, the idea of using animal leather is a non-starter, hence the demand for a cruelty free leather alternative.
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