“Green” Leather Shoes – An Explanation

Leather may be a natural material for shoes, but that does not necessarily mean it is eco-friendly. Commercial leather tanning - the process by which perishable animal skins are converted into non-perishable leather - involves a complicated, 15-step chemical process resulting in large amounts of polluted water.

The tanning process often uses petroleum products, and leather tanning factories also make heavy use of diesel fuel to run their equipment. In addition, many large shoe corporations employ workers overseas in factories with bad working conditions.

Some of the chemicals used in leather tanning are sulfides, sulfates, chlorides, chromium, and other heavy metals. Workers exposed to these chemicals can develop health problems as a result. In countries where leather tanning is big business, the environmental impact is becoming serious.

Of course, synthetic leather and other artificial shoe materials are not necessarily eco-friendly, either. A balance can be found in "green" leather.

What Is "Green" Leather?

This is a kind of leather processed by eco-friendly methods. Interestingly, scientists have discovered a way that manufacturers can actually reverse the 15-step tanning process, thus reducing the use of chemicals and the amount of waste water. In fact, the reversed tanning process reduces the number of steps as well.

Other companies use eco-friendly tanning methods that make use of natural plant extracts - specifically, extracts from the Mimosa tree - in place of the toxic chemicals of conventional tanning. The Mimosa trees are farmed by sustainable methods, and the extraction process is also sustainable. To make the leather soft, these green companies use vegetable products and waxes.

The leather industry is beginning to move toward clean energy and sustainable tanning methods. Recently, a green leather manufacturing company opened in Vietnam. This factory will be using wind turbines, hot water heated by solar energy, and a hydraulic waste-water system to conserve water.

What to Look For When Shopping for Green Shoes

When you go shopping for green leather shoes, you may find some confusing terminology such as :

1.        Vegan shoes are never made with leather or any animal product, so if the shoes you are considering are labeled "vegan," they are not actual leather.

2.    Eco-friendly leather is leather that has been processed by sustainable, environmentally-friendly methods.

3.    Organic shoes are made from organic materials which may or may not be leather, or only partially made from leather.

The key is to look for those shoes that claim to be both genuine leather (whole or in part) and eco-friendly. It is also a good idea to do your research and find the names of companies who engage in sustainable leather processing practices.

Nature – The Ultimate Playground for Kids

Every year parents spend hundreds if not, thousands of dollars on toys and activities for their kids. While many of things are great for keeping young minds and bodies active, many of them are unnecessary. Sure kids need structured play, but they also need “free” plan and this is easy to do when the world’s largest playground is right outside your back door. Why not let them play outside?

Every toy, book, and TV show that comes out has been designed and redesigned several times in order to make it educational and entertaining for children.  The great thing about nature is that, while being entertaining and stimulating to the imagination, it’s also educational. Nature can teach children the basics of science, economics, and creativity.

 

It’s cheap. Depending on where you live, exploring nature is usually pretty inexpensive, if not free. It may mean going out in your backyard, local park, or perhaps going to the local nature center or state park (which usually have low cost fees or memberships). This way, you don’t have to pay for expensive toys, jungle gyms, or memberships to expensive entertainment centers, but you still get the benefit of stimulating and educational play.

It makes them think. Lately there’s been a trend in education towards inquiry based learning. Researchers have found that if students explore and experiment to figure out answers on their own, they’re going to learn better, and retain more information. It also helps them develop skills to be able to learn things on their own later. What better environment to learn things than out in nature.  There are lessons for kids of all ages to discover about the world around them.

 

It may help the world. Everyone these days is trying to be more green and more environmentally conscious. What better way to help do your part than to get your children interested in their own planet than right now when they’re young and impressionable? What might be a fun time for them now, might be a future hobby, career, or world saving invention.

 

It’s fun. While it’s easy to forget, childhood isn’t just for learning about how to be an adult, it’s also about having fun. Nature gives kids a chance to use their imagination and be free to just be kids.

While unstructured play outside is great for kids, you can also find a lot of places offering structured classes and learning sessions for kids that focus on the natural world. Check your local park, zoo, or museum. There’s a good chance they have classes you can sign up for, and since many of these places are not for profit, they’re usually affordable as well as informative.

 

Across the world, there are millions of dollars being spent to help promote sending your kids outside to learn from nature.  That’s because spending time in the outside world is so important for developing minds. It can also be a great escape for you as well.