For over 10,000 years, humans have bred cattle for their meat and dairy, which provide essential protein and nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Cows are not pets but play a vital role in our lives. These animals can graze on land that is often unsuitable for crops, helping to utilise otherwise marginal areas. Cattle contribute positively to our food system by converting inedible vegetation into high-quality protein. By One 4 Leather.

Leather: A Renewable Resource

Cows are also part of what is known as the biogenic carbon cycle—a naturally occurring process in which carbon circulates between the atmosphere, plants, and animals. When cows consume grass, they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for only about a decade before breaking down into carbon dioxide, which is subsequently reabsorbed by plants. When herd sizes are managed responsibly, cows do not contribute “new” carbon to the atmosphere in the same manner that burning fossil fuels does.

Every year, 330 million cattle are processed by the meat and dairy industry; however, an estimated 40% of hides—around 3.8 billion kilograms—end up in landfills. Raising a beef cow costs up to $3,000, while the hide is worth only a fraction of that, making it evident that cows are not killed solely for leather. Leather production utilises a valuable by-product of the meat and dairy industry – a resource that would otherwise go to waste at considerable environmental cost.

Cows are also part of what is known as the biogenic carbon cycle—a naturally occurring process in which carbon circulates between the atmosphere, plants, and animals.

The Consequence of Avoiding Leather in Favour of ‘Vegan’ Alternatives
In recent years, many manufacturers and consumers have turned to plastic-based options marketed as “vegan leather.” While these are promoted as sustainable, they typically contain vinyl or polyurethane—materials derived from fossil fuels. Not only does producing these alternatives require tapping into carbon that has been locked underground for millions of years, but the resulting products often have a shorter lifespan, end up in landfills, and can take centuries to break down.

By replacing genuine leather with these alternatives, more hides from the meat and dairy industry remain unused, creating a “double whammy” for the environment. Firstly, the hides themselves must be disposed of, releasing millions of tonnes of unnecessary CO₂e. Secondly, additional emissions arise from the manufacturing and eventual disposal of plastic-based substitutes. Even if fossil-based materials are never burned as fuel, once extracted, that ancient carbon enters active circulation, increasing our overall carbon footprint.

Using more genuine leather helps reduce waste and overall emissions in industries such as automotive manufacturing. A 10% increase in automotive leather use would save around 3.5 million hides from landfills—a reduction of over 64 million kilogrammes of CO₂e – and produce enough leather for approximately 1.1 million car interiors. By choosing real leather, we rely on carbon already “in play” rather than adding new carbon to the atmosphere.

In short, turning away from leather in favour of synthetic substitutes overlooks the vital role cows play in the biogenic carbon cycle and intensifies the broader environmental burden. By using the hides already generated by the meat and dairy industry, we can avoid needless waste and prevent introducing additional fossil-based materials into circulation. Genuine leather, managed and produced responsibly, stands out as a far more sustainable option than its plastic-based imitators.