PETA calls on the FTC to take action on false 'recycled' claims for pre-consumer animal materials

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is urging that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) amend one of its key points in the Green Guides regarding recycling claims.

The animal welfare organization sent an open letter to Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, insisting the agency revise one of the points in its Green Guides regarding products’ eco-friendliness.

According to PETA, the current labeling of pre-consumer, animal-based materials as "recycled content" is a classification that is not accurate and is misleading. "Pre-consumer materials" are actually unused, new leftovers from manufacturing, like leather scraps from briefcase-making or excess wool from sweater cutting, that have not been recycled.

Under the current Green Guides, a brand would be able to produce a watch band using this leftover leather and claim it was made from "recycled content.” PETA notes that using this leather still directly adds to the demand for more leather, causing more cows to be raised and slaughtered.

In addition, the animal welfare organization points out that a consumer looking to purchase "recycled content" would likely assume that the leather for the watch band had been previously used and recycled and that purchasing it would reduce the demand for new leather.

“Vulnerable animals are harmed in myriad ways and killed for fashion, meaning that categorizing materials correctly is crucial so that consumers know exactly what—or who—they’re buying,” commented Tracy Reiman, PETA executive vice president in a statement.

"PETA wants the FTC to update its Green Guides and reminds everyone that a vegan label is the only surefire way to ensure that no living, feeling being was harmed to end up on a hanger.”