Vegans and waste?

Question

This is a random question for vegans.

When I worked at a summer camp my fellow counselor was a vegan and she threw away all of our stored supplies for leather working and things using animal products. We weren't planning on buying any more, but I thought it was a complete waste that she would just throw it all away.

I'm an environmentalist, but I care more about human waste's effect on the environment than animal rights. It really offended me that she would just throw it all in the trash rather than let someone else use it. I understand why she wouldn't want us to buy more because that would be promoting animal killing, but if you already have it, it's not doing the world any good to not use it. I don't think she should have used it herself, but it was an outdoorsy camp there were plenty of other uses for the leather and animal skins.

Would you have thrown away the animal products just because you don't like animal products?

Just curious about how other vegans feel about this.

Answer 1

Firstly... you're way too concerned about waste level.  A cause makes you feel good, but you have no right to be "offended" about what other people do with their property.  Having said that, it's time to remind you this was not your property to be offended about, and it wasn't hers to throw away.

Regardless of being a vegan or whatnot, and regardless of the environmental impact of waste, I would not have thrown away _other people's property_.  That leatherworking material belonged to the camp, NOT to you and your friend.  The first thing your friend needs to do is reimburse the camp for the materials that she stole from them.  The second thing she needs to do is be sat down and informed that her opinions are valid, but she has no right to do things like that.

When you two are gone, the camp will still be a summer camp, and eventually there will be people who aren't Vegans in charge; and they will wonder where the leatherworking materials got to.  Then they will simply go and buy more.

Shame on the both of you for being so selfish.

Answer 2

I think it's wasteful not to let others use the products that are already made, as long as they are not promoting them.

When I went vegetarian I wore my suede shoes until they wore out and gave my down comforter to my sister.  Our (the Earth's) resources are limited and should never be wasted.

I can definitely see how easy it is for a vegan to get sidetracked by anger, sadness, and frustration with the cruelty that everyone else takes for granted and do something like that.  She is honestly disgusted by the idea of leather, but she's missing the big picture, which is a lot of what veganism is supposed to be all about (a more sustainable, less cruel way of eating results in a better future for the planet and its inhabitants.)

We all make mistakes and start policing the behaviors of others sometimes.  Most vegans have done their research and seen a lot of disturbing images from factory farms, fur farms, slaughterhouses, labs, etc, and it does tend to make you irrational in cases that involve animal death, even if it happened a long time ago and can't be helped now.

So, I can't condone her actions but I do understand them.

Answer 3

I wouldnt have thrown them away. But if it were mine, I would have given it to someone what wanted to buy a leather couch and then I would have boughten a fabric couch.

-If you are an environmentalist, arent you aware that out of all the energy and naturaly resources we use today, 12% of that goes to factory farming?

-If factory farming of cows was stopped, it would have a greater impact than taking all the cars off the road.

-Thousands of acres of forests are being cut and burned each day for grazing land for farm animals.

-Grain used to feed the billions of slaughterhouse animals each year could be used to feed the starving people throughout the world.

-If you eat a hamburger, your daily water usage goes from about 150 gallons to over 3,000 gallons.

Just thought I would let you know.. I hope I didnt come off as rude and offensive.. Just trying to help because I truely do care about the environment and I think alot of people dont know these statistics.

Answer 4

Of course, I wouldn't have thrown that away.

Waste is waste and throwing that stuff out doesn't bring back the animal!

Answer 5

Well, I suppose there is the idea that having it at all suggests that it's acceptable and no doubt that offended her sensibilities.

However, to just toss it seems to make the life and death of that animal seem even more meaningless.

On the other hand, the waste each day of food in the United States is enormous and shocking. More than a fourth and even more in the UK. Further, much of that food is wrapped up in plastic (which never goes away) and then in printed paper, then bagged to take home and bagged again for trashing.

Answer 6

I am a simple Irishman

I hate to answer V&V questions they get me in trouble

BUT Please

thousands of years ago MEN set down rules

(As Directed BY  GOD) ??? the old teseament

In 32bc Jesus followed the Jewish Kosher guides.

one thing remains a fact TODAY 10,000,000 of animals daily are slaughtered to feed the world

the simple fact that NO PART is wasted..

The honor people follow as respect to them is awsome..

the tiny V&V following as part of the world Is a pesky pimple

Now the fact your fellow counseler destroyed supplies for the kids,,.. she should be fired or dismissed.... who authorized her to act so rashly..(xberat = check spell does not work)

the imposition of one individual (facisism) over the education and growth of young people should require some criminal action..

I was a Boy Scout and this nonsese makes me angry..

Answer 7

Well I have some Pumas and two leather jackets in my closet right now, and the only reason why I'm keeping them is because I wouldn't want to throw it out and make an animal's life useless.  However, I do as much as I can to prevent from wearing them.

Edit: Wow. I never thought about giving them away! Thanks to whoever said that above me =)

Answer 8

Vegans have many different views on this subject.  Some will throw it out because they think if people see them with it, it will be glorifying animal product use.  Some will keep it and use it until it's worn out then throw it away.  And then some still (like me) will sell or give it away.  

Vegan doesn't all the sudden mean environmentalist.  And if she is not buying more leather to replace it, then I don't see how that could be a conflict with veganism.

Answer 9

What she did doesn't make any sense.  Every vegan makes their own decision when they convert about what to do with items that have already been purchased.  Some wear them out (or, in your example, use them up,) some donate or sell them, and I guess some throw them out.  I would not have considered throwing that stuff away for a moment.  For one, it's wasteful, for another, it wasn't her personal property to dispose of.  As objectionable as she may find leather, the damage was done and someone else could have used it.

Answer 10

That person is an idiot, she should be ashamed of herself.

I would never buy any leather but she was very rude to throw things away that were for the kids.

Answer 11

When I went vegan, I gave-away all my non-vegan goods to friends and goodwill.

It could be shear disgust or sadness that prompted her to be rid of them before taking into account that it would be more earth-friendly to allow them to be recycled.  

That said, it doesn't bring me any satisfaction to see my friend walking around in a leather jacket (the one I gave her).  It's still exploitation and death.  Part of me wishes I could have given the animals who were killed for that jacket the honour of a proper burial.

People's behaviour always makes sense when taken in context.  You'd gain better insight into her frame of mind if you were to ask HER about this.