“THE EARTH IS
WHAT WE ALL HAVE
IN COMMON.”
—WENDELL BERRY

A lot of companies talk about the importance of Sustainability, but how many of them actually put in the work? Virtue signaling and trendy buzz words might sound impressive on the surface, but they don’t require any actual investment nor do they accomplish very much. On the other hand, meaningful, impactful sustainability is expensive, time consuming, and requires a considerable amount of effort and commitment that never ends. Worthwhile work is funny like that.


At Tiger Leather, Sustainability isn’t a topic we treat lightly. That’s because leather is a renewable, natural resource deserving of environmentally ethical practices; not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because leather alternatives use synthetic materials derived from non-renewable resources. So-called ‘vegan’ leather is ironically made from plastic and other materials derived from fossil fuels. These products don’t protect the environment—they actively damage it.


For more information about the importance of real leather, including the pitfalls and misnomers surrounding imitation leather products, visit the experts at LeatherNaturally.org.

 

Poster

 

WE ARE THE COMPANY WE KEEP

To ensure that all Eurozone sustainability standards are met, if not exceeded, Tiger Leather only partners with environmentally conscientious tanneries. 

 

Based in Italy, Gruppo Peretti has made innovation and sustainability the cornerstones of its business since its inception in the 1950s.

 

The Peretti name has distinguished itself through continual improvements in quality and reliability, with a deep respect for the environment. Its approach to sustainability is holistic, encompassing every phase of leather production from cattle to crust.

ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
AND GREEN SPACES

Our leather is a byproduct of the beef industry. No cow is ever harvested for the hide alone.


Our hides are sourced exclusively from conscientious beef suppliers who raise cattle ethically and humanely for the entirety of the cow’s life.


No forests or woodlands are ever cut down for the housing or grazing purposes of cattle.

 

 


TREES AS A GREEN LUNG
AND CARBON SINK

In January 2020, Gruppo Peretti reforested 40,000 square meters on tannery grounds with over 2,200 plants and trees.

 

Specimens include Oak, Wild Cherry, Linden, Elm, Sycamore, Ash, Poplar, Hazel, Lantana, Viburnum, and Privet.

 

This ‘green lung’ will absorb 1,000 tons of CO2 over the next 20 years, while also serving as a refuge for flora and fauna.

 

 


BONA FIDE AND CERTIFIED

Our leather is certified by the Institute of Quality Certification for the Leather Sector (ICEC) as having been Made in Italy. This certification ensures consumers that they are purchasing a top-grade product free of harmful chemicals and compatible with social and environmental equity.

 

Raw materials and finished goods are inspected for chemical compliance and quality assurance, and every phase of manufacturing is carefully monitored and reviewed from both a technical and managerial point of view.

 

Our facilities are ISO 9001-certified, the highest certification available for ethical manufacturing.

 

The water purification facility that controls waste water and performs a pretreatment of waste water before reintroducing it into the management system is ICEC/TS 406-certified. This chemical / physical laboratory is subject to preventive maintenance and periodic analysis in order to ensure proper functionality and uncover enhancement opportunities.

 

Only water-based and water-soluble materials are utilized in the finishing process. As such, all products are Indoor Air Quality certifiable-ready and count toward earning the Low-Emitting Materials / Systems Furniture and Seating LEED credit (1 point).

 

Our packaging materials are certified as “Plastic Second Life” by the Italian Plastic Institute SRL. This unique eco-label is reserved for materials made from the recycling of waste plastics.

 

Additionally, our tanneries are audited and certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG) which assess the environmental performance and compliance of leather manufacturing.

 

Leather Working Group is a not-for-profit organization providing the world’s leading environmental certification within the leather manufacturing industry. The LWG audit includes material traceability, environmental management systems, operations management, water usage, air emissions, and much more. For complete details, visit LeatherWorkingGroup.com.

 

 



FROM RAW TO WET BLUE

Chromium (III) salts are widely used during the tanning process, but not all of the total chromium salt reacts with the hides, resulting in excess waste.

 

Our “raw to wet blue” phase reduces this waste by 30%. Excess waste is removed using centrifuge and transported to a water purification plant where it is repurposed as fuel.

 

As a result, 95-97% of recycled waste water is in continuous use without polluting the environment.

 


NOT JUST REDUCED ENERGY,
RENEWABLE ENERGY

Gruppo Peretti only uses electricity obtained from renewable sources for all of its production sites, including a new Cogeneration System that produces electrical and thermal energy through an internal combustion engine powered by methane gas.


The Cogeneration System delivers an electrical power of 500 kW and generates approximately 2,600 MWh of electricity and 3,200 MWh of thermal heat in the form of hot water and steam, essential components in leather processing.


The new system is part of a 10-year Energy Performance Contract with Alperia Bartucci, a leading company in the field of energy efficiency. Core goals include reducing overall energy consumption, improving the quality and management of energy vectors, and creating sustainable energy without negatively impacting the environment.


With over 2,800 photovoltaic modules on site, nearly 50% of all production is solar powered. These solar panels generate 1,223 kWh and offset 377 tons of CO2 per year.


LED lighting has replaced mercury vapor and metallic halide lamps, thereby reducing consumption by 66,000 watts per year, and diesel-powered forklifts have been supplanted by electric models.


Additional energy efficiency programs have been allocated and will further reduce the company’s energy needs by approximately 25%.

 


THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Sustainability has always been, and always will be, a key component in Gruppo Peretti’s operating plans and overall mission. We have in mind a whole series of research and applications aimed at reducing the consumption of chemical products, and quite possibly a few other tricks up our sleeves as well. Our commitment to the environment is unyielding, and we look forward to making new and better strides for years to come.