The manufacturing process for faux fur can use animal-derived ingredients. The plastic fibers used for faux fur are knitted into fabric and can resemble materials such as wool, silk, rayon, cotton, and camlet, all of which are considered animal-derived. However, some faux fur is vegan. To identify vegan faux fur, look for a label that states “100% animal-free”.
Fake fur
Today’s fashion industry is quickly turning to vegan clothing and other eco-friendly options. The popularity of the vegan lifestyle has led many luxury brands to ban the use of fur. In addition, many fashion labels are now advertising that they are “vegan” and phasing out the use of animal products altogether.
But faux fur is not entirely vegan, because it contains goat hair, leather, and wool. Moreover, it is still not certified as cruelty-free. In fact, PETA and other animal rights organizations have attempted to mislead the public about fake fur. The good news is that there are many amazing faux fur alternatives available in the market.
Bio-based faux fur
Bio-based faux fur is a more sustainable alternative to traditional fur. Its production uses less energy and emits less greenhouse gas emissions than regular fur. Another option for faux fur is recycled plastic. Made from used plastic bottles, recycled faux fur is entirely biodegradable. It also mimics the look and feel of real fur.
Stella McCartney is the latest celebrity to turn to sustainable bio-based fur. She recently unveiled her brand KOBA(r) Fur Free Fur. This vegan alternative to animal fur is made from corn-based ingredients and is 30 percent less energy-intensive than traditional fur. It also releases 63% fewer greenhouse gases than conventional fur. The eco-friendly faux fur has been so successful, that it won the Innovation Award at the 2016 PETA Fashion Awards.
Recycled faux fur
If you’re a vegan or want to do your part to protect the environment, you may be interested in purchasing recycled faux fur. This type of faux fur is made from recycled polyester and has less negative impacts on the environment than traditional fur. Some companies are even making this type of fur from recycled plastic bottles.
Faux fur made from recycled plastic bottles is a great alternative to fur made from animal products. It is made from discarded PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate). PET is a carcinogen and phthalate-free plastic material that is FDA approved. It is also eco-friendly, so you can wear it without worrying about its impact.
Recycled camel hair
There are a number of ways to source vegan faux fur. One great option is recycled camel hair. This fur is made from camel hair that is used again as a textile. The production of this hair does not cause animal suffering. However, it is not 100% vegan. This faux fur material does contain animal products. Camel hair is also not sustainable and requires an abundance of natural resources.
The camels that are used for making these fabrics are raised in the Middle East and their hair is combed out during a yearly molt. They are often used for meat production in the Arab world. In contrast, some synthetic materials are used to create these pieces. These include polyester, nylon, and rayon.
Recycled goat hair
A US scientist has examined the manufacturing process and the ingredients of faux fur to make sure that it is not made of animal products. While goat hair is a vegan alternative, it still contains animal ingredients such as silk and fibroin. These substances come from insect larvae, and the production process of fake fur often involves sourcing it from China.
Leather is another faux fur product that is not vegan. It comes from sheep skin and is not made from goats or ewes. Suede is not vegan, either, since it comes from the underside of animals. Then there is cashgora, which is a type of fiber made by crossing angora goats and cashmere goats. These materials may not be vegan, but are certainly cruelty-free.