Is Split Leather Ethical? Everything Consumers Need to Know

In a world of conscious consumerism, the glossy finish of leather products no longer hides the questions about where they come from or how they’re made. Among these materials split leather is a big player in fashion, furniture and accessories because of its affordability and versatility. But with the rise of sustainable fashion and ethical sourcing split leather is under the spotlight for the practices it conceals.

At Glory Store we pride ourselves on transparency and integrity so we believe in shining a light on the ethical considerations of every material especially one as controversial and misunderstood as split leather. Whether you’re buying a black men’s aviator jacket or a leather handbag knowing what goes behind that purchase is key.

Let’s peel back the layers of ethical, environmental and human impact behind split leather.

1. What Is Split Leather? The Basics

Split leather is the lower layers of the hide separated from the top grain during the leather processing. When an animal hide is too thick it’s split horizontally into two or more layers. The top layer becomes full-grain or Top-grain leather and the bottom less durable part is split leather.

Despite being genuine leather split leather is often:

• Sandblasted to create texture
• Coated with synthetic materials like polyurethane
• Pigmented to imitate higher quality hides

It’s used in fashion items like jackets, belts, bags and upholstery because of its cost-effectiveness but the quality and ethical implications vary greatly.

2. Leather Production: From Hide to Split

Turning raw animal hides into usable split leather is a multi-step process. Here’s how:

·         Flaying the hide after slaughter

·         Salting and soaking to preserve it

·         Liming and fleshing to remove hair and fat

·         Splitting the hide into layers

·         Tanning (often with chrome or vegetable-based agents)

·         Finishing with coloring and texturing

There are two main methods:

·         Chrome-tanned leather is quicker and cheaper but has toxic waste issues.

·         Vegetable-tanned leather is more eco-friendly but slower and more expensive.

In our separate posts we go into more detail on these leather types: Pull-Up Leather, Chrome-Tanned Leather, Vegetable-Tanned Leather, Bonded Leather.

Each stage of the process has ethical dilemmas from animal welfare to chemical waste which we’ll get into now.

3. The Ethics of Animal Slaughter for Leather

Not all leather is a byproduct of the meat industry. In many places’ animals are slaughtered for their hides, especially exotic species.

Key ethical issues:

·         Factory farming animal cruelty

·         Illegal poaching of endangered species for luxury goods

·         Inhumane treatment during transport and slaughter

·         Sourcing hides from countries with poor animal welfare standards

For split leather which often comes from younger or thinner hides, ethical issues can occur during mass production in low regulation countries.

Ethical consumers look for leather alternatives or demand certification like the Leather Working Group (LWG) to ensure humane practices.

4. Environmental Impact of Split Leather Manufacturing

The leather industry including split leather has big environmental problems. This includes:

Water Pollution

Tanneries dump chromium, lead, and arsenic into nearby rivers. This means:

·         Water pollution

·         Ecosystem disruption

·         Health risks for local communities

Air Pollution

VOCs and ammonia are released during:

·         Tanning

·         Dyeing

·         Drying

This causes:

·         Respiratory issues

·         Ozone depletion

·         Workplace hazards

Solid Waste

Offcuts, sludge and used chemicals create non-biodegradable waste. And synthetic coatings on split leather add to the microplastic problem.

Tanning also contributes to deforestation as grazing lands are needed, especially in South America, and worsens climate change and biodiversity loss.

5. Labor Rights and Exploitation in Tanneries

Behind every leather product is a workforce that often remains invisible. Many split leather items come from developing countries where labor laws are not enforced.

Big problems are:

• Exposure to chemicals like chromium
• Long hours with low pay
• Child labor in processing units
• No protective gear leading to skin and lung diseases

Human rights organizations have been calling out countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan for violating ILO standards.

As a brand Glory Store is committed to sourcing ethically, advocating for fair trade and working with suppliers who have safe working conditions.

6. Traceability and Greenwashing: The Mysterious Supply Chain

One of the biggest challenges in making ethical leather choices is the lack of transparency in the supply chain.

Problems are:

• Leather is traded multiple times making it hard to track origin
• Greenwashing is common brands use vague terms like “eco-leather” or “sustainably sourced” without backing it up
• Certification systems exist but compliance checks are inconsistent

Technologies like blockchain and QR code tracking are emerging to bridge the accountability gap but adoption is still limited in split leather supply chains.

7. Split Leather vs Other Materials

For conscious consumers split leather is compared to:

·         Synthetic leathers (PU and PVC)

·         Plant-based leathers (pineapple, cactus, mushroom)

·         Lab-grown bio-leathers

Pros of Alternatives:

·         No animal cruelty

·         Lower carbon footprint (especially plant-based)

·         Less waste in production

Cons of Alternatives:

·         Less durable

·         Mixed recyclability

·         Less authentic look and feel

Among traditional leathers Full-grain leather is more long lasting while bonded leather is less ethical due to heavy chemical binding and use of leather scraps.

We go into more detail on this in our blog on Bonded Leather.

8. What Can I Do?

You don’t have to give up leather altogether to make good choices. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Educate Yourself

Learn to tell the difference between marketing BS and verified good practices. Look for:

·         Vegetable-tanned

·         LWG-certified

·         Recycled leather

·         Cruelty-free

Ask Questions

Reach out to brands and ask:

·         Where does your leather come from?

·         Are workers treated fairly?

·         What tanning process is used?

Choose Good Brands

Support brands like Glory Store that care about:

·         Ethical sourcing

·         Responsible manufacturing

·         Supply chain transparency

Extend Product Life

The longer your jacket lasts, the lower its overall eco-impact. Learn how to clean, condition, and store leather goods.

9. What’s Changing

Good news, the tide is turning. Regulatory bodies and private companies are addressing the issues.

Trends:

• Plant-based tannins over chrome
• Biodegradable leathers
• Supply chain audits by LWG and ISO
• Transparency tools like Leather Trace and DNA tagging

At Glory Store we’re following these trends to bring you products that meet the demands of eco-conscious and ethically aware consumers.

10. Can Leather Ever Be Ethical?

This is the million-dollar question. On one hand leather especially, split leather is linked to animal agriculture, chemical processing and resource intensive practices. On the other hand, it’s a natural material that if sourced responsibly can outlast synthetic alternatives by years.

The answer lies in:

• Better regulation
• Stricter ethical standards
• Consumer awareness
• Material innovation

Ethical leather isn’t a myth but it’s a choice. A choice brands make in sourcing and one consumer make in buying.

Final Thoughts What This Means for You

When you wear a leather jacket you’re not just making a fashion statement. You’re part of a complex web of ethics, environmental impact and labor economics. At Glory Store we’re not just passionate about style we’re passionate about accountability.

As we bring you high-quality leather products from our signature pull-up leather jackets to our new vegetable tanned ranges we’ll be fully transparent.

Ready to shop ethically and stylishly? Browse our premium selection at Glory Store where fashion meets integrity.