CDG - The Costume Designer

B we try IT'S NOT EASY BEING Leather vs Faux Leather Leather is one of the most widely used non-synthetic materials. Its durability and water resistance have made it a favored choice for many applications. The majority of hides, especially cowhides, exist as a byproduct of the meat industry and are either destined to be made into leather or dumped into landfi lls. reservation methods, dyes, and other treatments have varying ecological costs and aff ect the life and eventual decomposition of the fi n- ished product. Real leather can be recycled into lower uality grades which are often available at a lower price. Over the last few decades, faux leather has overtaken real leather in popularity, due to cost and concerns over animal welfare. The most widely available faux leathers are made of polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (C) covering a base fabric of natural or synthetic material and present several ecological problems in exchange for its low cost. C is made from the byproducts of petroleum or natural gas. A drawback of faux leather is that it is not recyclable nor does it biodegrade. Fortunately, a variety of new faux leather products are being de- veloped that may prove more sustainable alternatives. Several companies are developing faux leathers using bases, including cork, mangoes, coff ee grounds, cacti, and mycelium. Some are currently available in sheet form or in merchandise, and new products are still coming to market. Each of these new alterna- tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. Leather vs Faux Leather Leather vs Faux Leather Leather vs Faux Leather Leather is one of the most widely used non-synthetic materials. Its Leather is one of the most widely used non-synthetic materials. Its durability and water resistance have made it a favored choice for Leather vs Faux Leather Leather vs Faux Leather Leather is one of the most widely used non-synthetic materials. Its durability and water resistance have made it a favored choice for many applications. The majority of hides, especially cowhides, exist as a byproduct of the meat industry and are either destined to be made into leather or dumped into landfi lls. reservation products are still coming to market. Each of these new alterna- products are still coming to market. Each of these new alterna- tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for products are still coming to market. Each of these new alterna- tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for currently available in sheet form or in merchandise, and new products are still coming to market. Each of these new alterna- tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for currently available in sheet form or in merchandise, and new products are still coming to market. Each of these new alterna- tives will vary in durability and environmental impact. As can be expected with any new technology, prices for these products are high. Whether any of these faux leather options prove to be viable options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. options to real leather, their existence demonstrates the desire for new alternatives to one of our most controversial materials. Where Do Clothes Go The way we dispose of clothing has serious environmental con- siderations. The EA estimates that in 201, over 11 million tons of textiles were dumped into landfi lls which represents . of total municipal waste that year. Our trash is a major source of greenhouse gases due to decomposition in the anaerobic con- ditions in landfi lls. Second-hand retailers and eco initiatives by contemporary cloth- ing brands redirect used clothing away from landfi lls, but this presents its own set of issues. ost donated clothing is not directly resold to consumers because the supply outweighs the demand for second-hand clothing. Over 60 of used clothing is shipped to overseas markets, often in South Asia and Africa, where demand for second-hand clothing is high. About of this clothing is re- sold as is. The rest is repurposed as cloths or broken down for manufacturing other products such as paper. Cheaper clothing allows low-income households to stretch their money further. However, this trade has decimated some local garment indus- tries and siphoned money out of struggling communities. An established industry that depends on second-hand clothing lowers supply, and as we have seen during the pandemic, hurts local workers. Sending our waste products to developing coun- tries is a complicated problem with mixed benefi ts to those that have least say in the process. ltimately, we need to take responsibility for our own waste. Continuing to send the burden overseas is not a long-term solution nor is continuing to dispose of these goods in land- fi lls. There are currently very few textile recycling streams in this country and until demand for recycled textiles increases, this euation is unlikely to change. Choosing clothing and fabric made with recycled fi ber is a step in the right direction. An even better option is to divert clothing from needing to be recycled at all by buying vintage, second-hand, and renting from costume houses when possible. 55

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