On the one hand, it is an animal product often tanned with toxic materials. On the other hand, it uses the otherwise unused byproduct of an industry (in this case, the meat/dairy industry) to produce a highly durable and versatile material.

So it’s a difficult debate as to whether, for example, vegetarians should ever wear leather. When I tried to research it, I only found one vague data point that something like 5-10% of the meat industry’s revenue came from selling hides for leather. In my mind, using this point alone, buying leather does not significantly support an unsustainable industry through buying products sourced from what would otherwise be waste.

But I could easily see the argument going the other way, so if anyone has any more information, please post.

-J