• RestrictedAccount@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      10
      ·
      edit-2
      8 months ago

      Veg tanned leather is impervious to bacteria. Fungi can damage it, albeit slowly.

      Chrome tanned leather is similar but way more resistant. Probably 99% of the leather (except shoe soles) people deal with is chrome tanned.

      If you try to put it in your compost you are going to be sad.

      • Fermion@mander.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        edit-2
        8 months ago

        When I worked on a dairy farm I had to replace my leather boots every 9 months because the moisture and manure broke the leather down.

        Leather that is kept dry is very resistant to rot, leather that is allowed to stay wet is not.

        • Lemongrab@lemmy.one
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          8 months ago

          I’m pretty sure that was because of its exposure to animal waste products which are acidic and not the typical environment leather is exposed to.

      • Cypher@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        Composting veg leather is considered the best method of disposal as it breaks down in 3-5 months.

        Chrome tanned leather can take much longer to break down but is still considered biodegradable.

      • kungfuratte@feddit.de
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        8 months ago

        Chrome tanned leather is similar but way more resistant. Probably 99% of the leather (except shoe soles) people deal with is chrome tanned.

        What would happen if you just buried such chrome tanned leather and forgot about it?

        • RestrictedAccount@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          8 months ago

          That is the test the military used (maybe still uses) to see if the leather for their boots passes quality inspection.

          If it was not treated with TCMTB, then fungi will eventually break down the leather. If it was, it will still be there.

          We (humans) have leather that has survived in ancient ruins since the beginning of history.