Synthetic Material vs. Fur

Congratulations to Animal Advocates of Western New York and Born Free USA for putting up a joint billboard ad in Hamburg NY against fur. In response, a letter to the editor appeared from a Mr. Skrzynski who claimed that synthetics would sit around in landfills for thousands of years.

He would have us believe that the skin and fur of animals are immediately made into coats, yet fur and skin from animals go through a process that’s environmentally damaging, in addition to being ecologically destructive for trapping’s indiscriminate nature.

He incorrectly assumes that synthetics are the only alternative material. Yet, there are plant derived materials, such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, and rayon that are both comfortable and attractive without harming a wild animal.