The Value of Leather

This page explores the environmental and functional benefits of leather as a cornerstone of sustainable fashion. It breaks down three key pillars of the 33MB philosophy.

A Valuable Byproduct

Leather is a valuable byproduct of the meat and dairy industries, which means we're saving the planet one stylish step at a time ! Without the leather industry, millions of tons of this material would end up in landfills. So, think of your sneakers as eco-friendly superheroes, preventing waste and promoting resource efficiency !

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The Power of Longevity

Investing in leather sneakers means you're not just buying shoes; you're supporting a sustainable approach to manufacturing. These sneakers are built to last. With proper care, they can last for years, even decades. Please see our Product Care page for more information on taking care of them.

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Third-Party Certifications and Ethical Sourcing

Our leather comes from responsible sources, so you can step out into the world knowing your sneakers are as ethical as they are stylish.

Eco-Friendly
Tanning:
Methods like vegetable tanning use natural plant-based tannins, reducing reliance on harsh chemicals. Advances in chromium recovery also significantly reduce environmental impact.

Third-Party Certifications: Certifications like the Leather Working Group (LWG) audit tanneries on environmental performance (chemical safety, water, energy), providing transparency and assurance for consumers.

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From Reuse to Regeneration

Leather embodies circular economy principles. Your sneakers can be repaired, reused, or even upcycled into something new.
Crucially, at its end-of-life, natural leather is biodegradable. Unlike plastic-based synthetics that persist for centuries and contribute to microplastic pollution, leather (especially when naturally tanned) can decompose safely in industrial composting within 20 to 35 days, enriching the soil.

 So, they're not just shoes; they're a long-term investment in sustainability.

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