Beyond skin, exclusive and eco-friendly shoes

A list of ethical considerations never goes amiss. This newly published set of facts drives the ethics policy at Beyond Skin, an exclusive eco-friendly footwear label who ensure that their shoes are produced in a non-exploitative way.

• Leather is a by-product of the meat industry.
• A third of the grain we grow is to feed farm animals.
• 25% of the world’s land surface is given over to grazing more than 1.25 billion cattle.
• Currently one third of the world’s land suffers desertification through; clearing forests for grazing; overgrazing; over-cultivating croplands to feed farm animals (as well as people); poor irrigation techniques.
• The ammonia and nitrates from farm animal urine and excrement leaches in to the ground and surface water, polluting wells and rivers.
• The toxic process of tanning stops leather from being biodegradable.
• An estimated 225 environmentally damaging and toxic chemicals are used in leather production. These chemicals have been linked to various cancers, asthma and numerous other diseases.
• Their synthetic leathers are made from cotton-backed polyurethane. PU (polyurethane) looks like PVC leatherette, but is kinder to the environment. PVC contains chlorine, a toxic chemical which produces dioxin during its manufacturing process.
• Their satins are made from polyester rather than viscose as viscose has a far greater impact on the environment as it’s processed with huge amounts of acid chemicals.