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I'm sure the ducks are killed in a humane way before their feathers are harvested. Regardless, I'm not losing any sleep over having a down comforter. In fact, I'll sleep quite well being nice and toasty.
It is normally 'harvested' from live birds who are thrown back and given food to grow more feathers. Rinse and repeat.
It's easy to stick your fingers in your ears and pretend it isn't reality. I'm not a huge pro animal PETA person but what is done to animals here and abroad (especially in Asian countries) is sickening.
IMO down should be banned. At least with leather the animal is (generally) dead before you skin it.
You have the freedom to decide to be vegan; but I have the freedom not to. There is no law that says veganism is a preferred mode of living. Surely we can agree to disagree on this? Being vegan is a personal decision; not being vegan is also a personal decision.
Veganism is not a mode of living, it is a belief system.
I prefer a down alternative, because real down sometimes has hard points from the feathers, that you can only find after you've used it awhile.
We have an eider down king sized comforter and I have yet to find something poking out. But I cannot find duvet covers light enough to use it. My European sources have dried up.
For the down fiends - there is a collection limit/quota on eider and it is being enforced
Down alternative is inexpensive, works well in inside environments, can be machine washed (as can down) and dried. It depends on your needs and budget.
Veganism is not a mode of living, it is a belief system.
Yep I agree...humans are animals and are at the top of the food chain. Fact is we have been eating meat and animal products ever since we were cavemen...however what has changed is simply HOW MUCH, HOW OFTEN, and where it comes from.
We no longer go out and hunt for our food, it is raised solely for consumption often in inhumane environments.
We eat WAY too much of it and way too often as well...I used to eat meat all the time but now eat about 6 oz of Turkey a week. I have never been in better health, can do 25+ pull-ups, 50-60 push-ups, run three miles in 20 mins. Yet I rarely eat meat and could effectively cut it out completely if I had to (which I may). But still eat animal products such as eggs (two a day).
I have cut out cheese from my diet almost completely - there is zero nutritional value to it. I consume limited quantities of soy milk (3 oz) per day. It's better for you and doesn't create stomach issues (what other animal on the planet consumes another's milk, let alone after they grow to become adults?!?).
This thread has wandered off top but the US population in particular has been brainwashed to consume what we do, while being detrimental to our health, other living beings, and the environment.
Some people don't care--just flat-out don't care--that their purchase of unnecessary items harms animals, people, or the planet. The fact is that a well made down alternative comforter is every bit as warm as a down comforter, and doesn't require the torture of animals. A no-brainer. Why would someone choose a product that harms animals over an equally useful and quality product that does not? In fact, some people actually take a childish and petulant pride in the fact that they don't care. Missing moral compass, I guess.
And don't forget that polyester/synthetic fills are produced from petrochemicals. There IS an environmental impact there too.
I consume limited quantities of soy milk (3 oz) per day. It's better for you and doesn't create stomach issues (what other animal on the planet consumes another's milk, let alone after they grow to become adults?!?).
If you are lucky enough to tolerate soy, knock yourself out..just be aware that too much isn't a good idea. Soy isn't automatically better for many people (some are highly allergic including yours truly).
I've had both and a really good down comforter is typically a lot more expensive than a down alternative. I also find that a down is heavier and warmer than an alternative.
kinda sorta related;
I bought a "bamboo" pillow online recently. Bamboo is a grass that grows quickly and without a lot of synthetic fertilizers. Bamboo cloth is like cotton or rayon, breathes well. Very green product.
Bit it turned out that the cover was 44% bamboo, 56% polyester, and the filling was entirely made of petrochemicals, and smelled awful. Hardly any bamboo was harmed in the making of that pillow.
My point: make sure your "alternative" is as green or as healthy as you think it's going to be.
If you are lucky enough to tolerate soy, knock yourself out..just be aware that too much isn't a good idea. Soy isn't automatically better for many people (some are highly allergic including yours truly).
Well, I never knew about live plucking. Now that I do, I don't want to buy down.
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