Before assessing whether vegan fashion is truly ecological, it is important to understand the meaning of veganism. Being vegan means excluding all animal-derived products from one's diet and adopting a lifestyle that respects animals. Gone are fish, meat, eggs, honey, milk… All these foods are replaced by plant-based proteins.
Does veganism have a lower environmental impact than an omnivore diet?
The positive aspects of veganism
- The meat and dairy industry is highly polluting, as it uses vast quantities of water, land and fossil fuels, and produces greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. This industry is also responsible for 91% of deforestation in the Amazon and is the leading cause of biodiversity loss on land. By eating vegan, we considerably reduce the ecological footprint of our diet. It is indeed considered the least polluting dietary choice.
- More than 1.1 billion animals are slaughtered every year in France, not counting fish and aquatic life. More than 80% of these animals come from industrial farms. It is also important to highlight the deplorable conditions in which these animals are kept: genetic manipulation, unbearable living conditions, stress and mutilation while still alive before transport and slaughter. Being vegan therefore means consuming in a more ethical way and with respect for animals.
The limits of veganism
- From an ecological standpoint, some studies suggest that consuming vegan is not 100% ecological. Plant production also requires water consumption. While it is less significant than meat production, it remains nonetheless considerable.
- A vegan diet can become dangerous for one's health if poorly managed. The lack of animal protein must be replaced by plant-based proteins. This trend is sometimes poorly understood or handled, and many people are unaware of the nutritional equivalences.
And what about brands?
The vegan label found on many fashion and cosmetic products is a term that is currently neither mandatory nor regulated by law. There is no law preventing anyone from creating their own "vegan" pictogram, which often leads to misuse of language or misleading advertising. However, there are European associations and official agencies that are recognised by consumers. The vegan certification issued by these bodies is paid for but guarantees the consumer vegan traceability from field to plate. It is always advisable to check what a vegan label means, its specifications, and how it monitors its certifications.
It is also important to highlight that buying and consuming vegan does not automatically mean that products are eco-responsible, ecological or healthy for our bodies and the environment. In cosmetics, for example, a product can be vegan, with no animal origin, yet contain substances that are not particularly clean, such as silicones or parabens.
Incorporating veganism into everyday life has many positive effects on the planet and our bodies. However, it is important to redefine veganism across all its dimensions and not focus solely on diet, in order to adopt a more ecological and healthy lifestyle. It is therefore possible to be vegan without systematically adopting responsible behaviour.
That is why at Zèta, we are committed to offering you vegan products — and more: all our shoes are made from recycled and recyclable materials. We have also reduced intermediaries in our production chain, stopped deliveries outside Europe, while remaining as transparent as possible.
Discover our Alpha Vintage model
