The shift in fashion trends towards synthetic materials is causing a surge in leather hide waste, leading to increased emissions and missed sustainability opportunities on a global scale.
https://www.usleather.org/homehe Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) has released new statistics revealing a higher-than-expected carbon footprint associated with wasted cattle hides.
The fashion industry’s shift towards synthetic materials is causing a significant rise in hide waste, leading to increased emissions and missed sustainability opportunities globally. New research from the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) reveals that the carbon footprint of wasted cattle hides is much higher than previously estimated.
With a global cattle population exceeding 1.5 billion, tanners could potentially process approximately 334 million hides annually, according to LHCA senior vice-president Kevin Latner. However, the growing preference for synthetic alternatives in fashion is resulting in millions of unused hides, contributing to significant environmental concerns.
The LHCA estimates that a significant portion of hides end up in landfills, with 30% reported for India and potentially higher figures in Ethiopia. Furthermore, the proportion of wasted hides in the US more than doubled, increasing from 7% in 2023 to 15% in 2024.
The annual waste of an estimated 134 million hides results in emissions exceeding 40 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent globally, significantly contributing to climate change.
The LHCA emphasizes that tanners play a crucial role in mitigating this environmental impact. By converting a by-product of the food industry into leather, tanners prevent significant carbon emissions from landfills and contribute to a more circular economy.
To further strengthen its argument, the LHCA has been undertaking a comprehensive lifecycle analysis for the past three years. This research aims to underscore the significant environmental benefits of utilizing hides in leather production and advocate for their increased utilization to mitigate waste-related emissions.