Leather Seats vs. Standard Fabric

Ok I can agree that if you look at every extreme example that is out there for the environment we better all start kissing our @$$es goodbye. But lets be honest in the US farmers are raising cows on farms that they have been using for decades (some in areas that not even desirable for humans).

As far as environmentally conscious the reality is that unless you are driving a horse and buggy (again the extreme end of the scale) you must look at things as a whole and in moderation. All vehicles today are being built majority of non renewable resources this includes the interior fabrics of most vehicles (most made out of oil based materials in whole or in part) so with that idea leather is eco friendly because it is a renewable resource.

As to the tanning of hides again in the extreme I would agree bad for the environment but think of all of the chemical dyes used for the fabrics in your PRIUS this could be as hazardous as tanning or even more because of the acceptance of chemical dyes.

So thinking of it what leaves a smaller footprint using a renewable resource to clothes yourself and your car or use non-renewable petroleum based products that take forever to break down in the environment and give off toxic fumes when they burn.

Again I respect everyone’s opinion even though I don’t agree with them.

PS: (and this is just my understanding) PETA really has less to do with environmental issues more of the fact the people eat and use animal products.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Emilyjohn\";p=\"93710)</div>

Congratulations on your impending delivery.
I don't know if concerned is the right word, but it
seems very obvious (at least to me) when these
seats stain.
I'd personally get seat covers no matter how dirty
I got. However, others have said the seat material is
very easy to clean with a cloth and some water.
I bought the front seat covers from the Toyota
parts store. The covers they sell at Target, etc.
don't seem to have openings for side air bags.
Unless you're willing to create a slash in the sides
of your covers, buy the ones with the openings already
integrated.
I'd also suggest getting the console cover. Talk on
the board suggests: the material on the console
is tougher to clean and not as sturdy; so, a cover
is recommended.
I just got mine from Julie Reising (in black) and it looks
as though it'll do a great job of protecting from all those
stains that seem to accumulate (sweat, etc.)
Julie gives the option of faux suede or animal skin.
I prefer the faux for obvious reasons.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to
ask. Of course, the board has a wealth of information
as well.

Esther

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lgeisz\";p=\"93727)</div>

One of the things that strengthened my interest in
the Prius was that it uses more recycled materials
and earth friendly materials than a majority of the
cars out there.
A representative of Toyota said they wouldn't make
leather available as a mainstream (as opposed
to after market) option on their Prius, because it
would defeat the point.
My original post stated that I didn't want leather as
an option and never would. This is a personal belief
of mine.
If someone, such as yourself, wants leather in their
Prius, there are aftermarket options available so you
can have dead animal hide installed. To address
Bluebell's question, the after market gives people
the option of leather without it being necessary for
it to be listed as a Prius option. Therefore, the car
is available to all people.
And if Toyota made leather available as a mainstream
option on their hybrid Camry, Highlander, or other vehicle,
that's their prerogative.
However, IMO, making leather a mainstream option
on a car that is supposed to be the representative of
green (i.e., the Prius) is pointless.

BTW, I think I inadvertently brought this subject
off-topic and I apologize. But I wanted to express
my vehemence to leather.

P.S. IMO, PETA has more to do with grandstanding
and raising a lot of money than it has to do with the
ethical treatment of animals. Which is why I don't
support them.
Environmental issues and consumption of animal
products currently do go hand in hand. One of the
reasons I went vegan was because of my concern
of the effects of raising animals for food.

Esther

 

So sitting on some polyester (plastic) fabric made from petrochemical resins is now somehow "greener" than natural and entirely biodegradable leather?

 

Even more reason to get leather.

 

Very well put.

Except the part that leather and "green" options are somehow opposites. I don't consider polyester and other plastic materials made from petrochemical resins to be "green" in any way, shape or form.

Let's not confuse the veg*n agenda with the green agenda. They are not necessarily parallel.

 

And ultimately this is my point, again being a "green" vehicle has nothing to do with whether it has leather or not but I would consider (and this is just my opinion) leather a "greener" material than any petrochemical compound.

 

I live in Texas, none of that stuff has any hope of helping when you first open up a vehicle that has dutifully heated its interior up enough to cook in, while sitting in the sun. I don't have a garage, so I have little choice.

 

prius uses a plant derived plastic which uses less petrochemicals.

 

My point was that Toyota apparently intentionally avoided leather and that is why they won the award. The point was not the award, it was that Toyota avoided leather on purpose. No matter what anyone says, that is a green issue choice. That does not mean that everyone has to agree or that one should not choose leather. Unaware of the issue, I ordered leather from SE Toyota. I did not like the color and switched to a car that had cloth. I am glad because of this issue that I since began to see, and also because this cloth is fantastic. I don't think if you decide on leather that you should be removed from the list of those who care about the planet.

 

Can you please provide source documentation on this assertion?

 

Toyota does use bio plastics but it only appears to be used for carpet mats and a spare tire cover. This info is from the following link (it only says that PRIUS and another vehicle are using some bio plastics I guessed the carpet mats and a spare tire cover by reading the article in MSNBC).
Here is the link to the article http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4637563/

 

Getting away from the politics of leather.... I'll always have leather in the vehicle I use for my outdoor activities. I do a lot of hunting and am often walking though briars and other sticky stuff. With leather you don't have to worry about these things getting transferred from you clothes to the car seats. I also usually have my dog with me and it's much easier to wipe off leather seats than to worry about muddy paw prints on cloth.

Our Prius will be wifes main vehicle, so we will stick with the cloth since I won't be using it for outdoor adventures.

 

While avoiding the politics of leather, you go right for the core of anti-veg*n (not to mention anti-gun) politics right there.

 

Yah, I know. :wink:

But, I stand by my point. You can't beat leather if you are an outdoors enthusiast.

On the animal rights side of things... we consume so many cows every day for their meat... we might as well use their hides for another purpose. Mmmmm, burgers on the grill. Yummy.

 

Esther, thanks for your input and your advice. We truly appreciate it. It appears as though you've also done an excellent job of opening up the discussion to more opinions. I don't agree with some of what you said, but you expressed your opinion very well; and that's most important. Thanks again; and we'll be looking forward to your future postings!

 

I couldn't agree more on all counts.

 

EasterCat,
What a disgusting statement to compare leather to Holocaust victims. You obviously have no true sense of compassion for human or animal. Your motivation appears to be "right" and belittle anyone with a different opinion. Look in the mirror as you are a murderer because you drive an automobile that uses oil and I suspect you think the Iraq War is about oil. If you were sincere in your beliefs you would walk to work and live a sustainable life.
Again I must say your comment about Jews & Nazis was revolting.
DBird

 

touche'

 

Isn't it possible to like what both EasterCat and Beacher had to say and respect their right to say what they think? I like what they both had to say and I don't think either one is wrong or extreme, only sincere.