Last year, One4Leather highlighted the environmental benefits of upcycling hides from the meat and dairy industry into leather for car interiors. We emphasised how this practice not only adds luxury to vehicles but also significantly reduces landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions. However, recent findings from the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) indicate that the positive impact is far more significant than we initially estimated. By One4Leather.

A Significant Underestimation

Our previous article estimated that the automotive industry’s use of leather saved substantial amounts of CO₂-equivalent emissions. However, the LHCA’s new report, as featured in LeatherBiz, reveals that these numbers were grossly underestimated. According to data from the ReFED Food Waste Calculator, each hide, averaging 25 kilograms in weight, would contribute more than 300 kilograms of CO₂-equivalent emissions if disposed of in a landfill. This is due to the methane released during decomposition, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than CO₂.

The True Impact of Upcycling Hides

With the automotive industry utilising roughly 35 million hides per year, the revised calculations show a saving of 10.7 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually. This is a staggering increase from our previous figures and underscores the critical role leather production plays in environmental sustainability.

The Potential of Increased Leather Usage

If the automotive industry were to increase its use of leather by just 10%, the reduction in emissions would exceed 1 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent—a figure 16 times greater than our previous estimate of 64,000 tonnes. This adjustment highlights the immense potential for environmental benefits through even modest increases in leather usage, which is roughly equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from over 216,000 passenger cars or 120,000 homes (a small city).

This adjustment highlights the immense potential for environmental benefits through even modest increases in leather usage, which is roughly equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from over 216,000 passenger cars or 120,000 homes (a small city).

The Dual Environmental Consequence of Not Using Leather

Choosing not to use leather and instead creating alternative materials carries a dual environmental burden. Firstly, producing new materials—especially synthetic ones—often involves energy-intensive manufacturing processes that contribute additional greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the environmental impact of the new material isn’t just its own production footprint; it also includes the 300 kilograms of CO₂-equivalent emissions per hide resulting from landfill disposal.

Beyond the Numbers

These new findings are more than just statistics; they represent a tangible opportunity to make a significant positive impact on our planet. By choosing to upcycle hides into high-quality leather interiors, the automotive industry can reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

A Call to Action

We encourage automotive manufacturers, designers, and consumers to recognise the substantial environmental advantages of leather interiors. By embracing leather, not only do we enhance the aesthetic and comfort of vehicles, but we also make a responsible choice that benefits the planet.