Fur is Fashionable and Biodegradable and Safer for Earth - Why choose Faux Fur?

FUR IS BIODEGRADABLE

http://www.furisgreen.com/fur_is_biodegradable.aspx

Real fur is an organic material. « Faux fur » (fake fur) and most synthetics are made from petrochemicals. Like other plastics, these materials do not break down easily and will remain in landfills for centuries.  The “dressing”process (tanning) helps to preserve the pelts for some time, but after many years of use they will eventually dry out and begin to deteriorate (i.e., biodegrade), returning to nature. Old fur apparel can even be composted for your garden!

See also, in Biodegradable and Sustainable Fibers, Edited by R.S. Blackburn: 


“While vegetable (plant-based) and animal fibers are fully biodegradable, mineral fibers are not.” (“Biodegradable Natural Fiber Composites,” by A.N. Netravalli, Cornell University, pg. 274.) 

And: “Of even more concern is the ability of (synthetic) polymeric fibres to remain unchanged in the environment as polymers do not degrade very readily, which has exacerbated the already existing ecological and environmental problems of waste building; the volume in waste disposal and landfill is very high. (R.S. Blackburn, Page xv.) 

And: “…natural fibers like wool and cotton are broken down through biotic process. Microorganisms have evolved enzymes that attack key bonds in these natural polymers, thereby releasing monomers that can be used as carbon and energy sources for microbial growth. In contrast, microorganisms lack enzymes to break down many synthetic fibers, thus these materials persist and accumulate in the environment. “Microbial Processes in the Degradation of Fibers”, P.M. Fedorak, University of Alberta, pg.1.

 

FAKE FUR IS HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/what-is-faux-fur-10301.html

• Fake fur, despite its many advantages over real fur, does have a distinct disadvantage of not being environmentally friendly. Materials like blends of acrylic and modacrylic polymers derived from coal, air, water, petroleum and limestone go into the making of faux fur. These do not break down easily unlike real fur, which is biodegradable.
• A functional disadvantage of faux fur is that it is not resistant to frost. Since it does not provide adequate warmth, its use becomes difficult when hiking, mountain climbing or skiing in extreme weather conditions. Natural fur is made from wolf, polar bear or possum which can withstand the harshest of weather conditions by preventing the snow from freezing.
• As far as appearance is concerned, you may find faux fur to be very similar to bona fide fur. But, there is a marked difference as it tends to be coarser with a cotton-like feel, whereas real fur is a lot smoother.