evidence: Is Vegan Leather A More Sustainable Option? The Answer Is Complicated [...] Leather has a controversial history, and it’s a questionable material when it comes to sustainability. There are several factors to consider when evaluating both vegan and animal leather options: animal welfare, waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage, just to name a few. [...] With animal welfare and the environment up for question with traditional leather, vegan leather is on the rise. In fact, the vegan leather industry is predicted to be worth $89 billion by 2025. Animal rights organizations, like PETA, have taken the stance that no animal by-products should be used in manufacturing clothing and accessories. You can avoid these animal welfare concerns entirely by opting against real leather, just like people opt against fur.