www.KennaKristine.com

I am proud to announce that I am now adding Vegan Leather to my list of green materials.

What is  Vegan Leather (polyurethane faux leather)? Is it like vinyl? Compared to PVC vinyl and traditional leather, Polyurethane faux leather, is made using a greener process. PVC vinyl contains chloride and does not biodegrade. It leaches toxic additives in landfills and emits carcinogenic dioxin when incinerated. Traditional leather production is linked to large amounts of water pollution from waste, and the process of tanning uses numerous chemicals, including heavy metals. Naturally soft and flexible, polyurethane faux leather does not require the solvents used for softening PVC vinyl and leather. Comparatively, polyurethane is much more environmentally friendly. Also the polyurethane faux leathers I am featuring use polymer resin that is biodegradable.

What about the manufacturers?
The company I buy my Vegan Leather from, chooses only the most responsible manufacturers. These manufacturers understand the need for the green movement. For example, one manufacturer has reduced the use of solvents by using a distillation tower to reuse then recapture the same solvents. Additionally, manufacturers must either comply with local pollution protection laws and/or seek third party certification, such as the International Organization for Standardization(ISO). All chemicals and pigments used in manufacturing comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance.