“PETA is urging Levi’s to recognize that if the company is truly committed to sustainable and progressive practices, the most effective way to reduce its environmental impact is to use vegan materials,” the group said in a statement. “A great first—and easy—step would be to replace its leather jean patches with vegan-leather ones.”
Cows raised for leather are confined, deprived of food, and subject to disease. “Branding, tail-docking, dehorning and castration are all commonly performed on them without painkillers, and they’re transported hundreds of miles to feed lots and slaughterhouses, where many are skinned while still conscious,” PETA added.
In addition to ethical concerns, PETA says animal leather is bad for the environment. Vegan options include leather-like materials made from pineapples and mushroom roots.