Eco-Friendly Dog Accessories

In a world today that is so conscious about the environment, something to consider as a pet owner is how you can be as sustainable as possible with the accessory choices that you make. When it comes to equipment like leashes, dog collars and harnesses, one way of achieving this is opting for materials like brass and vegetable tanned leather that offer just as many benefits for a dog as they do for the environment.

Unlike the wide range of synthetic alternatives on pet store shelves, natural materials show the perfect combination of long lasting quality and eco friendliness. Let’s take a closer look!

The Environmental Benefits of Vegetable Tanned Leather

For years, leather has been seen as the preferred material for high quality pet accessories, thanks to its combination of flexibility, strength and naturally timeless aesthetic. It is important to remember, though, that not all leather is created equal!

In terms of ranking, it’s fair to say that vegetable tanned leather stands out from the crowd as the most sustainable option possible. It is made from a traditional tanning process that uses natural tannins derived from the likes of leaves, tree bark and other plant based sources. This has the benefit of eliminating the need for any potentially harmful chemicals that can be found in other processes like chrome tanned leather.

And the great thing is that there are so many more advantages to vegetable tanned leather than just eco-friendly manufacturing. Synthetic materials contribute to plastic pollution and can literally take hundreds of years to decompose, whereas leather is a completely biodegradable material. It naturally breaks down over time and doesn’t leave any toxins behind. 

Odor Resistance and Longevity

An underrated benefit of vegetable tanned leather is the way it is able to resist unpleasant odors. The use of natural tannins helps to prevent bacterial growth, which means those nasty ‘doggy’ smells won’t develop like they do on synthetic materials. This helps to keep your equipment fresher, reducing the need for frequent replacement.

Longevity is also a huge positive factor, with leather being able to stand the test of time versus synthetic collars that are prone to cracking, fraying and degrading. Vegetable tanned leather only gets more beautiful and supple with age, and with the proper levels of  care, it really can last for years.

The Role of Brass in Sustainable Pet Accessories

In terms of hardware to partner leather, brass is the best choice for a number of reasons. Being an alloy of zinc and copper, brass is super durable, resistant to corrosion, and fully recyclable when the time comes.

Plastic buckles are so easily broken and only serve to contribute to the problem of microplastic pollution, whereas brass fittings have the longevity to stand the test of time without needing to be replaced again and again.

And not forgetting the natural antimicrobial properties of brass, which are helpful in preventing any buildup of bacteria that could harm either you or your pet.

Comparing Leather and Brass to Synthetic Alternatives

There are plenty of modern dog accessories that are made from synthetic materials like polyester, plastic, nylon and more. There is no doubt that all of these materials are affordable and lightweight, but the environmental drawbacks that they pose should be enough to dissuade eco-conscious owners. Petroleum based plastics in particular are not able to biodegrade, making them a key contributor to long term pollution.

In complete contrast, both leather and brass are eco-friendly, which means that any accessories made from these materials can be seen as sustainable. The combination of sustainability with massive durability and the visual appeal from the natural patina effect over time makes it a smart and stylish choice all round.

Making the Sustainable Choice

Ultimately, it’s clear to see that there is only one real winner when it comes to dog gear that is both good for your pup and good for the environment, and that is the beautiful combination of vegetable tanned leather and brass!

Making the simple choice of vegetable tanned leather and brass equipment is an easy way to guarantee your pup has great, long lasting accessories, all the while doing your own small bit to reduce individual environmental impact.

There is a full range of eco-conscious, timelessly appealing accessories to selection from at The Lille Bjorn. You are guaranteed to find a leash or collar that perfectly suits yours and your furry friend’s needs!