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When creating items we feel it is important to ensure that they are practical, functional and have longevity. Also, to ensure that they are made from eco friendly materials that are sourced sustainably and responsibly.

Natural Vegetable tanning uses natural materials like tree bark used in the tanning process, making it more eco-friendly than commonly used Chrome tanned leather.

Natural Veg tanned leather is versatile, extremely durable and ages with a beautiful patina.

Natural Veg tanned leather can take up to 6 weeks to produce which is why it is more expensive than commonly used Chrome tanned leather which can be produced in just a few days.

Properly made and sourced leather is a truly sustainable material. We only use cow hide that is a by-product of the meat and dairy industry.(unless otherwise stated). Transformation into leather is the best use for those hides, which would otherwise go to waste. The leather industry is creating a product that is both natural and long lasting - leather is unique in its ability to combine beauty, comfort and practicality.

Click here to find out more about Leather Naturally

The main suppliers here at Lisa's Leatherworks

J. Wood Leather Yorkshire, England

Sustainable sources & Environmental Impact

At J. Wood Leathers. we source all of our hides and skins from reliable, sustainable tanneries from around the world. The large majority of our leathers are a direct bi-product of the meat industry. None of the animals are bred specifically for their hides. We do not stock any rare or exotic animal leathers.

We will always endeavor to use the most sustainable sources for our leathers whenever possible.

Enviromental Imapact

We are also very conscious of the chemicals used in the tanning of our leathers. Every one of our trusted and reputable suppliers strive to ensure that all environmental rules and regulations are met, in terms of both chemicals and the processes used. All of our leathers comply with European standards.

We regularly submit leather for REACH and BLC testing. This ensures that our leathers continue to meet with British and EU standards. We are happy to supply customers with said results upon request.

Northhants Leather Chemicals, UK

Founded in 1987, Northants Leather Chemicals Ltd are the largest independent chemical supplier to the UK leather industry.

We supply innovative and specialist products to the leather industry offering a leading edge, fast technical service and problem solving solutions for our customers. Every raw material is tested to comply with the latest environmental criteria.

Abbey England. Cheshire, England

Founded in 1982, Abbey England is a market leading wholesale supplier of premium British made materials and tools to businesses in both the UK and abroad. We’re a family firm rooted in traditional values and we always try to offer the best service and quality at the best possible price.

The Clever Baggers, UK

Fair and ethical trade - cotton

The Clever Baggers Ltd is a specialist textile printing Company based in the Welsh Borders in the UK. We specialise in the supply and printing of cotton and cotton canvas products, notably bags, tea towels and aprons.

As cotton is not indigenous to the UK, trading fairly and ethically with suppliers where it is grown is very important to The Clever Baggers. We have devoted a lot of time to this issue to ensure that the products we buy have been produced in an environmentally and ethically sound manner.

We purchase all of our cotton products from carefully chosen suppliers in China and Europe. We do not dictate the price we pay for the products; we accept prices offered so long as they are commercially viable.

Environmental information

Cotton is not indigenous to the UK so has to be sourced from a cotton producing country. All our cotton and cotton canvas bags are made for us in modern factories in China, India and Pakistan (see Ethical Trading info) from cloth woven using cotton which is grown organically i.e. using only natural fertilisers and without the use of harmful pesticide sprays.

We transport made up bags by sea in containers of 100,000+ units at a time which minimises the carbon footprint of each bag. As we have massive stocks in our on-site warehouse, delivery times are therefore dictated by the number of print orders we have at any given time, not by the length of time it takes to transport manufactured and printed goods from abroad and we are strongly opposed to using air freight to achieve speedy turnaround times

We call the cloth used in the manufacture of the natural bags loomstate as it is exactly as it comes off the weaving looms without any chemical additives, bleaching or dying. Cotton is a 100% sustainable resource and the bags will bio-degrade totally, quickly and safely (unlike so-called bio-degradable plastic bags which take many times longer to degrade and do so emitting harmful gasses). In fact, when the bags do eventually wear out, they can make a significant contribution to producing excellent compost! (Please ask for further details)

We silk screen print in our factory in Four Crosses using pigment dyes (vegetable/mineral based) suspended in a water based binder. This process is so safe we are allowed by the Environment Agency to discharge waste product into a standard foul drain.

Although it is fair to say that there are certain disadvantages such as the carbon footprint caused by transportation, we have yet to find an alternative which has fewer. The whole production and printing process is therefore as environmentally-friendly as it can be.

Sadly there is no such thing as a perfect product but we firmly believe that we have got the balance right between what is acceptable to the planet and its inhabitants, and the urgent need to concentrate on the real culprit here which is the massively unacceptable use of plastic bags given away each day by retailers. In our view, this can only be done if we make the cost of the alternatives acceptable to a public which currently is being given no incentive to say 'no' to the multitude of plastic bags thrust under their noses whether they like it or not.

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