What are your opinions on items that were owned by
you that contained animal products such as wool
before you went vegan? Now that you are vegan, what
should be done? I feel, in a way, that it could be
alright as long as you don't purchase any more animal-related products. I don't want to waste
things that could be put to good use. For clothing,
I've considered donation, but I have a thrift store-purchased wool coat, so I'm not actually supporting
any company that causes harm directly - just in need of
a warm jacket with little money for a new one as of
right now. Just looking for other opinions and ideas.
--Sarah
ANSWERS:
Laura, age 16: Sadly enough, most things contain animal products. I agree with your opinions- in fact, most
vegans keep leather belts or shoes. Cheap non-leather
items don't last (especially equestrian footwear) so
in some cases, buying a leather item is less wasteful
... if someone goes vegan and has previously-purchased
leather/wool/even fur products, disposing of them is
definitely uneccesary. Using them or donating to a
thrift store is the best option, and buying such items
from a thrift-store is VERY clever (as in not
supporting the companies) so I agree with you on that.
And for everyone's frustrating pleasure, here
is a list of products which use cow-derived ingredients. And that's just COWS.
Jessica, age 16: The way I see it is this: If you're vegan, that means you don't support
eating animals, testing on animals, using animals for entertainment, and
WEARING animals.
Now, I know you didn't buy your woolly coat directly from the main producer,
however by wearing it you are in a way promoting it. Take for example
wearing a used leather coat. You may be wearing it simply because it's the
only coat you have at the moment, but someone else may look at is as, "Gee,
that leather coat looks hot! I want one, too..." and therefore become a
walking advertisement for leather.
The best bet is to return all your animal clothing to a thrift store, and
buy different products instead - from the thrift store or wherever you
please. If it's not at all possible, that is understandable, but as a
vegan you should try as soon as possible to eliminate any animal products
altogether.
Good luck! I hope I wasn't too negative!
Tiffany, age 18: I think that items purchased or received before making a switch is "okay." It's really just a matter of personal opinion and choice. Daniel Johns, the lead singer of Silverchair, turned vegan, but kept his pair of leather Vans shoes until they wore out. I became a vegetarian and kept a pair of leather sandals, because I bought them before I changed my way of thinking, and they were too expensive to just get rid of. If you're comfortable with owning animal products you acquired pre-veg, then go with it.
Kristin, age 18: Keep the coat and don't lose anymore sleep over it. There isn't any such thing as a "total vegan" (and if there was he/she'd probably be scary:-) You have already decided to not buy anymore animal products so be content in your decision. I feel that throwing out perfectly good clothes (unless you really want to) is wasteful. Just use the coat till it wears out and replace it when feasible. Peace!
Liz, age 22: The only thing I could see happening is others going, "Oh, I LOVE those shoes/nail polish/whatever - WHERE did you get them!?!" and then going out and buying what you have.....
Gaby, age 17: For the most part, I agree with you. However, if the item in question comes from an animal that certainly had to die for the item to be produced (such as leather), that item should be discarded. If you kept it, it would be the same thing as if you kept the head of a hunted (dead and stuffed) animal hanging on your living room wall. Wool does not require the animal to be slaughtered, so a wool item would be okay to keep as long as the person ceases to purchase these items in the future.
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