Why Cowhide Rugs Are a Sustainable Home Décor Choice

Let’s talk sustainability, in particular when looking at furnishing your home! Sustainability is a big topic in today's world, where you hear the words global warming at least a few times a month.
When considering a new rug for your home, cowhide rugs should be right at the top of your list for sustainable options.  

Cowhides are a by-product and therefore “waste”
Cowhides are a by-product of the meat industry. Cattle are raised for their meat! Which means that the hide is a waste product. Unless the hides and leather of cattle are repurposed, they would be filling up landfills all over the world. By using hides and leather and turning them into beautiful rugs, bags, wallets and accessories, we are making use of every part of the animal. It is often a misconception that cows are raised for their hides.

Natural durable and long lasting
Unlike synthetic rugs, which are made of plastic and usually only last a few years, cowhide rugs are durable, naturally hard wearing and will last many years even decades if cared for properly. Their durability means that over time there is less waste, and in turn less need to replace your rug with something new. Therefore choosing leather and cowhide means you buy less over time and better quality. 

Cowhides have a low footprint compared to synthetics
Cowhides are a natural resource and therefore don't shed any microplastics into the environment. They will also naturally biodegrade after their natural life. Don’t worry - this takes decades, so your rug won’t just biodegrade in your home. Thanks to the tanning process, cowhides are preserved for long-term use. Without tanning, leather usually takes around 1-5 years to degrade, depending on the environment (usually in soil with microbial activity). On the other hand we have synthetic rugs and faux leather, which are made from plastics, which require fossil fuels to produce, and shed microplastics into the environment. 

Unique - zero waste!
Each cowhide is completely unique, no two are the same, just like our fingerprints. So there is no mass-production of the same item/product. Cowhides are often shaped and cut so that they look nice and even and don’t have any too long bits in the wrong places. All these offcuts are repurposed for things like our cattle tag keyrings - zero waste! 

By choosing a cowhide rug for your home, you are making a sustainable choice and keeping waste out of landfills! Cowhides make use of a by-product, reduce waste and provide long-lasting natural beauty! With proper care, cowhides can last for generations.
Browse our selection of sustainable cowhide rugs here.