Still on my search for a toxic free office chair, I was browsing yet another site and found quite a few covered with “eco-leather.” So I had to find out what it is.
I’m not sure I can give you a definitive answer since I’ve found several explanations.
This seems to be a general term rather than a trademarked brand that has a specific description.
First, it could simply mean that there is some environmental benefit somewhere in the manufacturing process.
One description said that Eco-Leather is a new seating upholstery material made of 20% recycled leather, offered as an alternative to fully synthetic vinyls. The recycled leather is used as the backing, with the face made of polyurethane (60%) for “a softer-than-leather feel”. The remainder of the material (20%) is fabric.
It’s the recycled leather that makes the material “eco.” Leather is a renewable resource, and recycled leather is diverted to this additional use on it’s way to the landfill. But these benefits to the environment don’t make it nontoxic. It is well known that the tanning of leather uses various toxic chemicals, which would still be present in the recycled leather.
Recycled leather is also known as “bonded leather” or “composition leather,” which is a recycled man-made material containing elements of recycled leathers, leather scrap & tannery leather fibers, which otherwise would go to a landfill. Most bond the fibers together with adhesives and resins.
But there is one, known as E-Leather(r) that is made from “wet blue” leather that comes straight from tanning and has had no other treatments, and uses only water to bond the leather fibers together. Hmmm, aren’t there toxic chemicals in tanning?
Lots more to learn about leather and it’s alternatives, but for now, if you see the term “eco-leather” it means it’s recycled, not toxic free.
What about “regenerated leather”….here is what I found:
“Regenerated leather” is made by grinding up scraps of waste leather with a small amount of natural rubber.
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_made_of_the_regenerated_leather
That would be fine as long as you are not allergic to latex.
There’s the really, really old way of tanning animal hides to make leather, and it’s called “brain tanning.” Google that, and you’ll find the most natural and non-toxic way to make leather. There’s a list of folks who sell hides on braintan.com, and while expensive, it’s a lot less work than brain tanning your own animal skins!
Also just found this: http://www.organicleather.com/our-organic-leather-and-eco-leather
This is the best leather I’ve seen. I’d like to see more leather like this.
I have spent days on the web trying to find leather made without toxic chemicals. So far only found one company that still makes it the old way – J&FJ Baker in the United Kingdom. There is a company in Germany – Ecopell- that makes chromium free leather but they use many other chemicals to make the leather so it does not look safe to me. Please see O Ecotextiles blog for a complete discussion on the toxic chemicals used to make the leather used by companies today in our furniture.
I have also discovered that there are 100% silicone leathers, what is your take on that?
It seems the pvc free leathers are backed with polyester blends.
Well, if it’s 100% silicone, it’s not leather, it’s silicone. It may have a leather-like feel, but it’s not leather and I don’t think it’s labeled leather. Can you send me a link to an example?
I searched for “pvc free leather” and found a “leatherette” made from polyurethane. But all of these are faux leathers.
Debra, I discovered this while researching upholstery options. The choices of course were many variations of polyester, (new or made of recycled fibers). The silicone is a new one to me. Listed as a Grade 5 option, Silica and Silica Tech are silicone. Somewhere along the way it was described as a “silicone leather”, as it turns out that is the name of the fabric.
In the upholstery world it is easier to gain the true content, but with many pre-made items and smaller personal items, often the word ʻ leatherʻ is used carelessly.
This link is to the manufacturer, Momentum textiles. They offer four that are made of 100% silicone, PVC free.
https://www.themomgroup.com/silica_leather_pr.shtml
I admit a curiosity.
Well this is very interesting. As I’ve said before, I don’t object to silicone as a material. I’m not sure I would want to wear it or sit on it, but I would prefer this to polyester or polyurethane or vinyl.
This is a topic that I often make noise about.
Many manufacturers advertise a product as leather, often in bold font or capitals, until you see the tag or description, itʻs all too often “PU leather” or bonded leather, generally this is in much finer print. Leather is expensive, often the only ommision is the word ʻgenuineʻ and yes now the overuseage of ʻecoʻ grabs consumers attention. There is little information to general public who puts trust in advertisement.
I have found desk chairs, boldly proclaiming leather, but itʻs bonded or merely on the seating surface if the leather is real. One boxed chair proclaims top grain, but itʻs bonded.
For me, back to the expensive, if the cost seems too good to be true, it probably isnʻt leather.
Oh, then there are the makers who insist the leather warranty is only good if you use their treatment to care for your leathers. We have to pay close attention, but it sure can be daunting.
Thanks
Totally agree with you.