Sadly, even Responsible Down Standard certified down, and other supposedly “ethical” down certifications do not prevent ducks and geese from being slaughtered. Meanwhile, geese choose life partners and even mourn their deaths. Ducks bob their heads around when they’re excited, and they’re highly social. Each year, an unimaginable 3.3 billion ducks are slaughtered across the globe-that’s 9 million each day.ĭucks and geese are thinking and feeling individuals just like any other animals-humans included. The global down and feather market value continues to increase, with the industry estimated to be worth over $6.6 billion USD. This fact doesn’t mean feathers are a worthless by-product of the meat industry, but- as with leather-down is a valuable co-product of meat production, bringing significant profit. In the words of the International Down and Feather Bureau, “there are no farms that raise ducks and geese purely for the procurement of down and feather”. Let’s get straight to it-the down industry is a slaughter industry. ![]() Down feathers are light, which can be useful if you’re layering clothes to keep warmīut the supply chains which bring down feathers to the fashion industry are complex and come with a host of environmental costs and ethical issues-let’s take a look.The downy feathers of birds are very warm, and until somewhat recently, there have not been alternatives that are as warm, if not warmer.This process is as painful as it sounds and can cause skin tears, severe injury, and even death.īut is this a problem across the down industry, or is there such a thing as ethical feather down? And what is the impact of feather down on the world around us? Why do people wear down feathers at all? Their feathers are then sold, and when their new feathers grow back, they’re plucked again. Sometimes, ducks and geese have their feathers plucked out of their bodies while fully conscious. While it can be easy to forget that people wear down feathers at all as it’s hidden inside our clothes, the down industry has had its fair share of criticism and controversy splashed across the media. So, is down feather ethical and sustainable? A topic that’s ruffled feathers And while down is biodegradable, there’s a lot more to sustainability that we need to consider. ![]() Feather down usually comes from ducks and geese, which raises questions about their treatment. Whether we think about it or not, hidden inside many of our puffer jackets and winter coats are feathers. Down feather: what’s all the fluff about? Here’s why down is best avoided by the conscious consumer. Down feather is often touted as a sustainable material but flagged for its perpetuation of animal cruelty.
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