29/10/2024
Curious about what your dog accessories are really made of? Here are some pros and cons of common materials for dog gear (part 1/2):
▪️ Animal Leather
👍🏻 Durable, ages well with proper care. Naturally tanned leather may biodegrade over time. Often a byproduct of the meat industry.
👎🏻 Significant environmental impact from livestock farming, including deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Often chemically treated, making it non-biodegradable. Ethical concerns around animal welfare.
▪️BioThane
👍🏻 Extremely durable, waterproof, and easy to clean.
👎🏻 Plastic-based (polyester webbing with a TPU or PVC coating), non-biodegradable, and non-recyclable. Contributes to microplastic pollution and eventually landfill waste. There are no specific peer-reviewed studies or pet safety tests to support the common claim that BioThane is “non-toxic”.
▪️Cork Leather
👍🏻 Made from the bark of cork oak trees, a renewable resource harvested sustainably, allowing the tree to continue growing and absorbing CO2. Biodegradable, water-resistant, and scratch-proof.
👎🏻 Often paired with synthetic backings, like polyester, which prevents it from breaking down safely.
Note: We source our cork leather from Portugal, bonded with GOTS-certified organic cotton and natural adhesive, ensuring it’s free from synthetics for the highest quality!
▪️Ocean-Bound Plastic
👍🏻 Helps prevent plastic from entering the oceans and repurposes waste.
👎🏻 Still plastic, meaning it doesn’t biodegrade, sheds microplastics, and pollutes waterways. Many brands use misleading marketing, making customers believe they’re helping clean up the ocean when, in reality, ocean-bound plastic has never been in the ocean but is collected from areas near it.
Note: Check the percentage of ocean-bound versus virgin plastic. Some brands label products as “ocean-bound plastic” when it’s only a small percentage.
Did you learn something new about dog gear materials? 🤔 Let me know in the comments which material surprised you the most, or if you’ve tried any of these options for your pup!