Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is a collaboration video with Smit & Zoon, a leading leather chemical company based in the Netherlands. In this special episode of our Leathertainment podcast, we’re diving deep to help people understand leather better – its origin, sustainability, and all the misconceptions around it.
We sat down with Florian, an industry veteran with decades of experience, to talk about the biggest myth: that animals are killed just for their leather. Spoiler alert – that’s not true. Leather is a byproduct of the meat and dairy industry, and if we don’t use the hides, they just become waste.
We also explore:
✅ The shocking stats about what people believe about leather.
✅ How leather is actually one of the oldest and most sustainable materials.
✅ Why “vegan leather” alternatives are often misleading – and not as eco-friendly as people think.
✅ The role of chemicals in tanning – and how modern innovations are making leather more sustainable.
✅ The incredible longevity of leather goods and how they can last for decades (even 60+ years!)
This episode isn’t about shaming anyone – it’s about getting the facts out there so everyone can make informed choices. So whether you’re a leather enthusiast, a sustainability nerd, or just curious, join us for this honest and insightful conversation!
👉 Listen now and join the conversation!
TITLE: Leathertainment on the go! Episode 1 | Leather’s Myth: Are Animals Really Killed Just for Leather?
---
CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction: Common Leather Misconceptions
We kick off with one of the biggest myths – that animals are killed just for their leather.
01:09 - Meet Smit & Zoon: Industry Veterans in Leather Chemistry
We’re recording this podcast at the Smit & Zoon headquarters in the Netherlands, discussing leather’s complexities with expert Florian.
02:48 - The Myth: Animals Are Killed for Leather
Florian explains how leather is actually a byproduct of the meat and dairy industry – not a separate industry.
03:47 - Shocking Stats: Public Misconceptions
A 2022 Leather UK survey reveals that half of people think animals are raised just for leather, and only 24% know leather is a byproduct.
06:01 - Vegan Leather vs. Real Leather: A Deeper Dive
We touch on the rise of vegan leather alternatives and why this deserves its own future episode.
11:22 - Sustainability: Using the Whole Animal
A discussion on how using leather is about respecting the animal’s sacrifice and avoiding waste.
12:01 - Leather Production & Toxicity Myths
Florian explains how chemicals used in tanning can be safe, and how new innovations make leather even more sustainable.
15:02 - Correcting Misinformation: Leather’s Environmental Footprint
We debunk the false idea that leather is extremely water-intensive, highlighting updated data.
19:00 - Leather’s Durability & Longevity
We discuss how leather goods can last for decades – even up to 60 years – and why maintenance matters.
25:01 - The Vegan Perspective & Plastic Alternatives
Interesting insights from vegans at leather events who actually support using leather as a byproduct, instead of plastics.
26:48 - Wrap-Up: The Bigger Picture & Future Topics
We wrap up with a look at what’s next, including future conversations about vegan leather and sustainable practices.
---
SHOP LINK FOR MY BRAND
PEGAI (Buy our good-quality finished leather goods): pegai.com/.
- You may also buy them on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/PEGAI.
ATELIER PEGAI: atelierpegai.com
---
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Follow me on my social media pages where I post content regularly.
TikTok: tiktok.com/@tanner.leatherstein
Instagram: instagram.com/tanner.leatherstein
Facebook: facebook.com/tanner.leatherstein1
---
HOW TO CONTACT:
You may contact me on any of my social media accounts above or send me an email at tanner@pegai.com.
---
#LeatherPodcast #TannerLeatherstein #SustainableFashion #LeatherIndustry #EthicalMaterials #Craftsmanship #LeatherFacts #InsideLeather #realleather #noplastic #LeatherMisconceptions #SustainableLeather #LeatherVsVeganLeather
This is a collaboration video with Smit & Zoon, a leading leather chemical company based in the Netherlands. In this special episode of our Leathertainment podcast, we’re diving deep to help people understand leather better – its origin, sustainability, and all the misconceptions around it.
We sat down with Florian, an industry veteran with decades of experience, to talk about the biggest myth: that animals are killed just for their leather. Spoiler alert – that’s not true. Leather is a byproduct of the meat and dairy industry, and if we don’t use the hides, they just become waste.
We also explore:
✅ The shocking stats about what people believe about leather.
✅ How leather is actually one of the oldest and most sustainable materials.
✅ Why “vegan leather” alternatives are often misleading – and not as eco-friendly as people think.
✅ The role of chemicals in tanning – and how modern innovations are making leather more sustainable.
✅ The incredible longevity of leather goods and how they can last for decades (even 60+ years!)
This episode isn’t about shaming anyone – it’s about getting the facts out there so everyone can make informed choices. So whether you’re a leather enthusiast, a sustainability nerd, or just curious, join us for this honest and insightful conversation!
👉 Listen now and join the conversation!
TITLE: Leathertainment on the go! Episode 1 | Leather’s Myth: Are Animals Really Killed Just for Leather?
---
CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction: Common Leather Misconceptions
We kick off with one of the biggest myths – that animals are killed just for their leather.
01:09 - Meet Smit & Zoon: Industry Veterans in Leather Chemistry
We’re recording this podcast at the Smit & Zoon headquarters in the Netherlands, discussing leather’s complexities with expert Florian.
02:48 - The Myth: Animals Are Killed for Leather
Florian explains how leather is actually a byproduct of the meat and dairy industry – not a separate industry.
03:47 - Shocking Stats: Public Misconceptions
A 2022 Leather UK survey reveals that half of people think animals are raised just for leather, and only 24% know leather is a byproduct.
06:01 - Vegan Leather vs. Real Leather: A Deeper Dive
We touch on the rise of vegan leather alternatives and why this deserves its own future episode.
11:22 - Sustainability: Using the Whole Animal
A discussion on how using leather is about respecting the animal’s sacrifice and avoiding waste.
12:01 - Leather Production & Toxicity Myths
Florian explains how chemicals used in tanning can be safe, and how new innovations make leather even more sustainable.
15:02 - Correcting Misinformation: Leather’s Environmental Footprint
We debunk the false idea that leather is extremely water-intensive, highlighting updated data.
19:00 - Leather’s Durability & Longevity
We discuss how leather goods can last for decades – even up to 60 years – and why maintenance matters.
25:01 - The Vegan Perspective & Plastic Alternatives
Interesting insights from vegans at leather events who actually support using leather as a byproduct, instead of plastics.
26:48 - Wrap-Up: The Bigger Picture & Future Topics
We wrap up with a look at what’s next, including future conversations about vegan leather and sustainable practices.
---
SHOP LINK FOR MY BRAND
PEGAI (Buy our good-quality finished leather goods): pegai.com/.
- You may also buy them on Etsy: etsy.com/shop/PEGAI.
ATELIER PEGAI: atelierpegai.com
---
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Follow me on my social media pages where I post content regularly.
TikTok: tiktok.com/@tanner.leatherstein
Instagram: instagram.com/tanner.leatherstein
Facebook: facebook.com/tanner.leatherstein1
---
HOW TO CONTACT:
You may contact me on any of my social media accounts above or send me an email at tanner@pegai.com.
---
#LeatherPodcast #TannerLeatherstein #SustainableFashion #LeatherIndustry #EthicalMaterials #Craftsmanship #LeatherFacts #InsideLeather #realleather #noplastic #LeatherMisconceptions #SustainableLeather #LeatherVsVeganLeather
