TLDR: Not Cruel, less land and water needed (WAY LESS!), leather is very dangerous and chemically intensive, and has 7x high carbon footprint that synthetic leather.

1. Animal Cruelty: Traditional leather production involves the killing of animals. This raises ethical concerns about animal rights and welfare. Vegan leather offers an alternative that does not require animal sacrifice, aligning with cruelty-free and ethical consumer practices. And Yes, leather is the most profitable part of the animal pound for pound, so it is NOT just a by product..

2. Land Use: Animal farming for leather requires significant amounts of land. This land could alternatively be used for agriculture to grow food crops, potentially feeding more people. Deforestation for grazing or feed crops contributes to habitat loss, biodiversity reduction, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Vegan leathers, depending on their source materials, can be more land-efficient.

3. Water Use: The production of animal leather is water-intensive, not just for the animals but also in the tanning process. It's estimated that producing a pair of traditional leather shoes can require over 8,000 liters of water. In contrast, some types of vegan leather, such as those made from agricultural waste or recycled materials, have a significantly lower water footprint.

4. Toxic Chemicals in Leather Production: The tanning process of converting animal hides into leather uses harmful chemicals, including chromium and other heavy metals. These substances can pollute waterways, soil, and air, posing health risks to workers in the industry and surrounding communities. Eco-friendly vegan leathers often utilize less toxic tanning and dyeing processes, reducing environmental pollution and health hazards.

5. Biodegradability: While leather is a natural material that would typically biodegrade, the tanning process alters its properties, making it non-biodegradable. This means leather goods contribute to landfill waste for extended periods. Some vegan leathers are designed to be more environmentally friendly, including options that are biodegradable or made from recycled and sustainable materials.

6. Carbon Footprint: The livestock sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, partly due to methane production by ruminant animals. By reducing reliance on animal products, including leather, we can lower our carbon footprint. Vegan leathers made from plants or recycled materials generally have a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional leather.

It's important to note that not all vegan leathers are created equal. The environmental benefits depend on how the vegan leather is produced. Materials like PVC (polyvinyl chloride) can be harmful due to their production and disposal processes. However, innovations in eco-friendly materials, such as Eco SPorts TPU, Cactus Leather, and recycled rubber, are promising in terms of sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

If you could use a product that was better for the planet, better for you kids, and not harm any animals, would you sacrifice performance for that?

Well you dont have too. Our basketballs look like a basketball, feel like basketball, and bounce like a basketball.. IT IS A BASKETBALL.

We never sacrifice performance for sustainability. If we can't make it as good as top products on the market (and more eco friendly) we simply dont launch the product.

But ask our hundreds of schools and Montessori's and Waldorf's that keep ordering our balls year after year.

Eco Sports is a Purpose Driven company. Meaning our mission is bring more sustainability to sports but also to get more kids off their phones and outside playing again. We do not want eliminate anyone from using our sporting goods because of price. Even though Eco Sports user more expensive and sustainable resources, we eat those cost for the greater good of our planet, the animals, and the kids.

A purpose-driven company is an organization that operates with a clear ethos and intention beyond just making a profit. It seeks to positively impact its community, employees, customers, and the environment, integrating social, environmental, and economic goals into its core strategy.

Eco Sports is sustainable from head to toe. From our manufactuer using only sustainable resources and taking eco friendly and non toxic precautions is important to us.

Our Sporting Goods use the most eco-friendly materials available without compromising performance.

Our Packing consist of Home Compostable Packaging and Carbon Offset Shipping. Our retail packaging is made from recycled cardboard and compact by design packing meaning minizing resources needed for packagin. We never use any plastic in and any of our packaging.

We are a Carbon Nuetral company meaning we put our money where our mouth is. We know everything that humans do has a carbon footprint, but if we can help offset those in any way... we should.

Every Purchase Plants A Tree! Make your purchase about more than just yourself. Even though your balls is better for the planet, why not add planting a tree to the list of awesome things Eco Sports does.

Eco Sports also works with Charities and Non Profits throughout the year. Whether donating balls or their employees time, they make sure prioritize the community first!