After nearly four decades of animal rights activists and groups trying to convince people that faux fur was the environmental-friendly option, they are finally proven wrong.

The common assumption is that faux fur is ethical and sustainable because it does not involve killing animals in the process. 

However, if one buys vintage, real animal fur can be more environmentally stable than faux fur.

Sophomore Noah Cytrynbaum said, “Killing large amounts of a species for fur, especially endangered species, is dangerous when you understand how important they are to larger ecosystems. But if the fur is vintage, passed down, an heirloom, or something else like that, it is okay to wear and buy because it is not actively contributing to supply and demand.”

Faux fur uses synthetic materials and fabrics like acrylic, polyester and modacrylic. These materials are derived from petroleum, making the faux fur companies highly reliant on fossil fuel energy, which has contributed large amounts of emissions.

The production process includes high energy and chemicals. Chemicals used in production like xylene in polyester might leak out causing skin irritation and rashes.

Reports from CBC Marketplace, government of Seoul and Greenpeace found that anywhere between 15 to 25 percent of all sampled clothes from fast-fashion websites like Shein and Temu contained high levels of dangerous chemicals like phthalates and cadmium.

Dr. Susan Buchanan, director of the Great Lakes Center for Children’s and Reproductive Health said for NBC 5 Chicago that, “Chemical exposure early on can have irreversible impacts on child development.”

Freshman Hanna Laufer said, “It’s an obvious flaw, however, people will continue to purchase and choose low prices over high quality items and since these companies are incentivized by money, nothing will change and dangerous chemicals will continue to be used.”

Alongside faux fur sellers having their products contaminated with dangerous chemicals, they often use unpaid child labor.

Faux fur is a non-biodegradable material, meaning that it does not break down easily or naturally but lingers for long periods of time. Faux fur can last over centuries and still not be fully degraded.

When faux fur degrades, it releases microplastics which have entered the bodies of animals and humans. 

Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs and brain. The same microplastics found in humans have been found in animals like frogs, turtles and cows.

Microplastics are still not fully understood, but it is known that they are severely toxic. 

On the contrary, fur is a biodegradable material and unless preventive measures are taken, it can fully disintegrate and return to the soil. Fur is not present in landfills.

Faux fur’s lifespans last anywhere from a few wears to a single season due to the materials used or rubbing in friction areas. Even with proper care, faux fur can last up to five years, however, the time does not compare to fur.

On the contrary, fur can easily last over 50 years depending on the animal used. Mink fur can especially last long with many lasting over 100-150 years due to exceptional care and ideal storage conditions.

Fur today is produced but with heavy regulation and laws that attempt to maintain ethics. Laws like the Lacey and the Marine Mammal Protection Act are in place in order to maintain the safety of fur-bearing animals.

Since the 2000s, people have begun selling off their old furs that they either bought when fur was a common product at stores or from relatives. It is possible to find vintage fur coats at many thrift shops.

The prices for high-quality mink and sable fur coats at vintage stores typically retail for $250-500 dollars.

Vintage and responsibly sourced real fur is biodegradable, durable and sustainable, providing a true alternative that does not contribute to the environmental toll that the fast-fashion industry has been causing, or the fur industry.

By choosing vintage fur, you are making a conscious choice that is better for the planet, people and for the animals themselves

While faux fur may appear ethical and environmentally friendly at first glance, it comes with hidden costs that far outweigh the surface-level benefits. Vintage and responsibly sourced real fur is biodegradable, durable, and sustainable, offering a true alternative that does not contribute to fast fashion’s environmental toll. 

By choosing vintage fur, consumers can make a conscious decision that benefits the planet, supports ethical practices and honors both animals and people.