Sustainability
Leather, a durable bio-based, biodegradable and renewable product, a sustainable option.
In over 60 years, Durli Leathers has evolved continuously, always respecting employees, partners, suppliers, the market and current legislation, in addition to meeting the strictest national and international standards.
Leather Production with Respect for the Environment and Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials
We constantly improve the sustainable production of leather with transparency in business and absolute and careful consideration for the environment, the communities involved and animal welfare, with socio-environmental and corporate governance practices in line with the best ESG practices.
Our production is carried out with the efficient use of water and energy, reducing emissions
of gases that aggravate the greenhouse effect and with full treatment of effluents and waste.
In addition, we source raw materials responsibly, with geomonitoring from indirect farms to guarantee social and environmental compliance. We have pioneered the innovation of complete and individual traceability from start to finish, guaranteeing transparency of the entire process from end to end, leather to leather.
Certifications
The Leather Working Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to driving excellence in the leather industry, minimizing the environmental impact of production and challenging industries to improve through a set of tools and ESG certification.
Why is Leather a Sustainable Choice?
Natural leather is a durable, bio-based, biodegradable and renewable product that combines a number of beneficial characteristics for the environment.
SUSTAINABLE
It is a valuable product from a by-product of the protein industry, which if disposed of in nature would cause serious environmental and health problems by producing methane gas. The waste is transformed into a natural material with a biogenic carbon count of over 80%.
ECOLOGICAL
It avoids the disposal of 7.5 million tons of food industry waste into nature and is produced sustainably following the strictest social and environmental standards.
KEY TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Leather is durable, repairable and recyclable, and after processing it gives life to new products. It can be composted to enrich the soil, stimulating the growth of grass to feed the cows themselves in a regenerative cycle. It therefore contributes to the creation of new applications, jobs, values and the mitigation of waste.
VERSATILE
It can be used in footwear, furniture, car interiors and artifacts. It takes rigid, flexible forms, with various colors or textures.
13 concrete reasons why leather stands out as an eco-friendly choice
In our commitment to preserving the environment and ESG criteria, we present 13 concrete reasons why leather stands out as an eco-friendly choice, in line with sustainability and based on a circular economy.
From the use of renewable raw materials to support for the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, every aspect has been carefully designed to promote conscious production.
Discover how the leather industry not only prioritizes durability and reparability,
but also contributes to reducing marine pollution. Embark with us on this process of sustainability, where leather is not just a material, but a solution for a greener future. We unveil the benefits of leather and its vital role in the circular economy, providing not only exceptional products but also a positive impact on the environment. Experience the revolution of leather produced with geomonitoring, individual traceability and where every detail counts for a more sustainable and conscious world.
1 - Leather uses renewable raw materials.
2 - Use of green hides, a natural, organic raw material from the meat and dairy sectors, which, if not used by tanneries to produce value-added leather, would be harmful waste, causing health and environmental problems.
3 - Leather is a durable material for generations.
4 - Leather products are biodegradable and, when discarded, decompose in 25 to 45 years in the environment and in 10 to 15 years in landfills.
5 - Leather products are highly repairable, can be reused and even recycled.
6 - Brands and tanneries have the option of more environmentally friendly chemicals in the manufacturing process.
7 - Leather is aligned with responsible consumption and production, thus supporting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
8 -Theuse of leather contributes to the fight against marine pollution, also part of the SDGs.
9 -Theleather industry paves the way for the circular economy for companies of all sizes, including thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises.
10 - Responsibly sourced leather meets the desire of finished product manufacturers to use biodegradable raw materials and turn them into a noble, long-lasting product.
11 - Finished products made from socio-environmentally compliant leather will meet the sustainable criteria for responsible purchasing exercises.
12 - Leather manufacturing supports employment commitments in responsible companies linked to ESG principles, aimed at preserving environmental quality.
13 -Leatherprevents tons of petroleum products from being disposed of in nature.
The Environmental Impact of Imitation Leather
The growing use of fast fashion has popularized synthetic options made from petrochemical products, especially plastics. However, this apparent ethical choice hides significant challenges for the environment and sustainability.
Just as "plant basis" or other synthetics have tried to copy meat and failed due to the chemicals and mixtures needed to resemble the copied product, so it is with leather. Products that try to copy its characteristics are complex, do not meet sustainability requirements, are poorly resistant/disposable products and their waste is highly polluting.
Find out why large-scale production, derived from petrochemicals and plastics, can jeopardize sustainability.
Environmental Impact Unknown
Popular for decades, many garments made from imitation leather are produced on a large scale from plastics derived from fossil fuels, and there is no legislation regulating the production or use of these materials. Their production contributes to the climate crisis and the pollution generated damages our ecosystems.
Lack of Efficient Recycling
Currently, there is no system in place to recycle "imitation leather". In the product's life cycle, what happens at the end of its useful life is that many of the pieces end up as textile waste that persists for generations in landfills. Plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill, releasing harmful microplastics and toxic, environmentally damaging chemicals as it breaks down.
Lack of Transparency in Presentation to the Market
For many, animal-free materials are an ethical choice. However, imitation leather is not necessarily the environmentally friendly option. The term "synthetic leather" is often vague and doesn't reflect the true composition of the material, as well as being presented with all the inherent positive qualities of leather, but which are so far removed from the qualities of plastic as a raw material in terms of durability, longevity and natural compostability.
Thus, imitation PU or PVC represents a significant environmental and sustainability challenge. Their life cycle, from production to disposal, contributes to serious environmental problems such as pollution and resource scarcity. Considering the current scenario, it is imperative to rethink the consumption of these materials and explore more sustainable alternatives to ensure an ecologically balanced future.
Join us on the journey to promote conscious and sustainable choices
Traceability
We are pioneers in innovative individual traceability from the origin of each piece of leather. Using a geomonitoring system and unique alphanumeric identification, we guarantee the responsible origination of raw materials from indirect sources. With our transparent process, customers have access to the complete journey of each piece of leather, ensuring socio-environmental compliance and meeting the highest sustainability standards.
Environmental
Committed to responsible environmental practices and sustainability, we have achieved a significant reduction in water and energy consumption. Our commitment goes further, addressing the scarcity of natural resources and climate change, with transparency and regulatory compliance as the foundations of our governance.
Learn more about our Environmental Initiatives.
Social
At Durlicouros, we value our team of more than 1500 employees, prioritizing local labor and developing young apprentices. Our social commitment extends to local communities, promoting health, safety and education. We protect employees' rights and maintain relationships based on fairness and strict compliance with Federal Labor Standards.
Governance
Guided by four principles, our corporate governance is transparent and responsible. We are committed to accountability, adopting practices in line with global auditing standards. Fairness is guaranteed for all stakeholders, with leaders committed to operational viability and minimal impact on the community and the environment. Explore our ethical approach to governance.