OldSchoolBags believes that corporate responsibility is important.
That is why our leather does not come from distant countries (= cheaper, more polluting) but from the Netherlands, from the Wendel Leather Group in Rijen. They produce in a responsible manner and also have the certificates to demonstrate this.
We have been working with this company since our inception.
Leather tanning is becoming less polluting
It is a known fact that tanning leather was very polluting. This is because of the harmful chemicals that were used.
See also our previous blog about the polluting nature of this process, which still happens in the countries where production is cheap.
There have been many developments in this area for decades. In the Netherlands there are also very strict rules for the industry.
There is also a lot of pressure from customers on the tanneries to produce as responsibly as possible. A number of large customers now also require certain certificates in order to be eligible to supply. This ensures that the tanneries also (have to) continuously improve their processes, because the requirements for such certificates are very strict and are also well (personally) checked.
It also gives us the assurance and good feeling that all our leather has been produced in a responsible manner.