Eco-friendly furs pollute more than normal ones

In all shapes and sizes, each of us has at least one pair in our closet. But, contrary to their name, faux fur has a devastating impact on the planet, due to the material it's made of.

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environmental impact of eco-furs

FURS ECOLOGICAL

Starring on runways, in social media photos, and in every self-respecting fashion shoot, they're beloved by everyone from influencers to mothers. Neon, in pastel colors, in whimsical or more classic styles, they're a trendy, versatile choice for all budgets, combining fashion and ethics.

What is certain is that purchasing an eco-friendly fur is absolutely a choice of love for animals, which aims to stop the cruel and anachronistic slaughter of the many vSheep, raccoons, rabbits, stoats, foxes, sables, and squirrels killed for vanity. But also lambs, dogs, and cats: an estimated 70 million animals are raised worldwide exclusively for their fur. 

Preferring synthetic and cruelty-free fur is a sign of sensitivity and attention towards animal rights, but what can be said about the environmental impact of fake fur?

The material they are made of, as you can easily imagine, is certainly not eco-friendly: generally it is made of fibres artificial synthetic ones such as acrylic or so-called modacrylic, only a small percentage of which are made of eco-furs made of natural fibres such as cotton, wool or viscose.

In any case, all, or almost all, plastic materials derived from petroleum remain on the earth's back for many years, ultimately contributing to pollution such as marine litter. Therefore, an animal-friendly choice isn't always an equally eco-friendly one, just as so-called eco-furs risk not being as green as their name suggests, just like plastic bottles or bags.

TO KNOW MORE: The dark side of fashion, when companies pretend to be green. Meanwhile, 100 billion garments end up in the trash every year (photo)

HOW MUCH SYNTHETIC FURS POLLUTE

Furthermore, as often happens in fast fashion, fake furs, to keep their prices affordable—often very low—are often produced in Pakistan, Bangladesh, or China, fueling a labor market that often borders on exploitation. This is without even considering the dyes used to dye faux fur coats, vests, and accessories, which end up releasing toxic and poisonous substances into the seas and rivers.

In 2014, news broke that the European Commission, after analyzing various fibers, determined that acrylic, or modacrylic, is one of the most polluting of the entire range of synthetic fibers used to make our clothing, as well as the least disposable.

Certainly, the solution isn't to return to real fur, despite trade associations and some designers continuing to claim that animal fur is, paradoxically, the most environmentally sustainable choice in the long term. For furriers, the material's long life cycle, its biodegradability, and the reduced use of aggressive chemicals in its processing would make its environmental impact minimal compared to that of synthetic fur.

environmental impact of eco-furs

HOW ARE THEY MADE? FURS ECOLOGICAL

Aside from the unsustainable conditions in which they are built, to understand the level of pollution of the fur coats ecological, which is not the equivalent of clothes in natural leatherWe must start with the materials they're made of. They're almost always made from synthetic fibers (polyester and modacrylic), which have the same environmental impact as a plastic bottle or bag made of the same material.

FURS ECOLOGICAL AND MICROPLASTICS

The so-called fur coats ecological can do even more damage to the environment than those that come from the processing of the skin of some fur animals. The fibers of the fur coats ecological, in fact, release an enormous quantity of microplastics, more than 700 for each wash cycle. And, unlike other fur coats, it is not possible recycle them. As for the alleged health fur coats ecological They are not very breathable and can cause contact dermatitis and allergies in hypersensitive individuals.

 

SUSTAINABLE FASHION:

 

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