What We Talk About When We Talk About Sustainability

At PABDER, we believe thoughtful choices make a difference. As much as possible, we use responsible packaging, reducing unnecessary materials and minimizing the use of plastics.

Leather is valued for its durability, longevity, and ability to age beautifully. The leather we use is a by-product of the meat industry, giving an existing material a useful second life rather than letting it go to waste. From our products to our packaging, we continue to look for practical ways to reduce waste and make more responsible choices without compromising quality, craftsmanship, or design.

Sustainability is one of the most overused words in our industry. It has been applied to so many things — recycled packaging, carbon offsets, collections described as conscious — that it has begun to lose its meaning. We want to be careful about how we use it.

Here is what we actually do. We source leather from tanneries that meet specific environmental standards — water treatment, waste management, chemical use. We do not work with suppliers who cannot demonstrate compliance with these standards. This is not a marketing position. It is a procurement requirement.

We produce in smaller quantities than would be optimal for cost efficiency. This means less waste — fewer pieces produced that will not be sold, fewer materials ordered that will not be used. It also means our pieces are sometimes unavailable. We have decided this is acceptable.

We do not claim to have solved anything. We are a leather goods company that uses animal materials. The environmental questions around this are real and complex. What we can claim is that we take them seriously, and that we are working to improve.