Yep, vegan leather can be nasty. Luckily, some eco friendly vegan handbag brands DO exist!
By Noa Ben Moche
It’s a sad reality that most vegan handbags are not all that kind to the planet. Don’t get me wrong: there’s nothing at all eco-friendly about leather itself. And of course, it’s a cruel material to make fashion from! But sometimes, I get a bit frustrated at the lack of eco-friendly vegan handbags out there.
Why most vegan bags aren’t eco friendly
Most vegan bags are made from PU ‘leather’, which is comprised of polyurethane, a.k.a. one type of a large family of elastic polymers with a rubbery texture. But unlike conventional rubber, polyurethanes start out as liquids which can then be cast in low-pressure molds to form anything you like, from insulation to shoes to a flat leather-like material.
It sounds chemical and nasty, and it is. You may be tempted to think that animal leather is better for the environment. But consider this: even animal leather is sometimes split and combined with polyurethane. That could be for extra durability, to add a smoother effect, or to simply save money for the brand making it.
And as any sustainable fashionista worth her salt knows, leather is no better than PU leather. In fact, if you factor in the environmental impact of raising animals, it’s worse.
So, what’s an eco-conscious vegan to do when it comes to making accessories choices?
What makes a vegan bag sustainable?
If you want a cruelty-free bag that’s not going to harm the planet, there are few materials you need to look for.
Of course, pure plant based fabrics are best. I’m talking about:
- Raffia
- Straw
- Coconut fibre
- Jute
- Organic cotton
- Cork
- Bamboo
These materials are 100% free of plastics, are fast growing, and make for wonderful vegan bags. Especially summer styles!
You’ve probably heard of a lot of other plant based textiles lately, like:
- Cactus leather
- Apple leather
- Piñatex
- Corn leather
Those are great, too. And they have a way, way lower ecological footprint than leather or plastic. However, you should know that most such plant-based leathers also involve some degree of plastic in their mix to ensure they stay solid.
That being said, a few innovative companies are using these kinds of textiles without any plastics whatsoever. And other brands are recycling and upcycling existing nylon, polyesters, acrylics, and plastic bottles to create sturdy vegan accessories.
Read on to see which!
10 Very Sustainable Vegan Handbag Brands
1. Pixie Mood
Want a bag as cute as, well…a pixie?
Pixie Mood makes a wide range of sustainable handbags. Whether you choose a bucket bag, tote, or crossbody, it will be made from recycled vegan leather and cork. They even use recycled rPET for the lining material!
But that’s not all! The brand gives back by donating to charities like 1% for the Planet, Terrapass, One Tree Planted and the Humane Society. They also use biodegradable packaging and offset their carbon emissions.
Made from: Recycled vegan leather, cork
Prices: From $26
Based: USA
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Those on a budget.
2. Svala
Natural cork and raw Piñatex are just two of the plant based fabrics this eco friendly vegan handbag brand uses to make its chic totes, wallets and backpacks. The linings are all made from recycled plastic bottles and/or organic cotton, too.
Our favourite style? It has to be the Gemma Backpack. It does double duty as a shoulder bag – just change the straps! But we also love the spacious, practical cork totes, too.
Made from: Cork, Pinatex, recycled plastic and organic cotton
Prices: From $145
Based: USA
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Everyday use.
3. Mashu
Chic and minimalist, Mashu designs stunning, sustainable vegan handbags in the UK.
We particularly love their gold plated hardware and the architectural inspiration behind these bags.
Expect lots of monochrome colours that really pop, organic shapes and luxurious, eco-friendly materials.
Made from: Raffia, organic cotton, Piñatex, apple leather, VEGEA, BioVeg
Prices: From $250
Based: UK
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Evening bags.
4. Stella McCartney
British designer Stella McCartney is a pioneer when it comes to eco friendly vegan bag brands. She’s most famous for using truly innovative leather alternatives to create her accessories. These include VEGEA (based on grape waste), Mylo (mushroom leather) and MIRUM.
Her most famous handbag design, the Falabella, is available in all the materials mentioned above. But she has a wide range of bags – and materials – to choose from.
Made from: VEGEA, cork, Mylo, organic cotton, MIRUM, raffia, recycled materials.
Prices: From around $425 to 2,000+
Based: Worldwide
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Designer chic and cultural clout.
5. JW PEI
The inspiration behind this LA based brand was the idea that fashion should be accessible, effortless and empowering. Minimalist design in sustainable vegan materials is at the heart of what JW Pei stands for. And of course, sustainability is key.
They use high quality canvas, PU and of course, a certified fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, in their diverse designs. These include vintage-inspired, ladylike purses, chic backpacks, and more.
Made from: Recycled plastic
Prices: From around $80
Based: USA
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Bags of style.
6. Lo & Sons
Specialising in bags for work and travel, Lo & Sons uses mainly nylon in their creations. But of course, this is sourced from upcycled fabrics. Plus, the lining of many of their designs is derived from organic cotton.
To improve their use of fabrics, this Asian-family owned business partnered with The Renewal Workshop. This company is the leading provider of circular solutions for apparel and textile brands. With their help, Lo & Sons stopped over 2,500 pounds of textile waste from reaching landfills so far. They’ve also ensured all their packaging is recyclable.
This eco friendly vegan handbag brand is definitely a part of the growing circular economy. Which is a great thing!
Made from: Recycled nylon, deadstock, and organic cotton
Prices: From around $250
Based: USA
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Work.
7. Rothy’s
Bags should be practical. Washable. Big enough to hold everything you need, from a laptop to a lipstick. And that’s exactly the criteria Rothy’s keeps in mind when it comes to designing their bags.
But practicality isn’t their only priority – sustainability is, too. And that’s why the brand uses plastic rescued from the oceans to spin the yarn that makes their bags. That’s not all – they also use 3D knitting techniques to ensure each item is made with zero waste.
Made from: Rescued ocean plastic
Prices from: Around $245
Based: Worldwide
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Roomy, sporty totes.
8. JORD
Don’t you love innovation? This brand launched as a wood watches company – which is cool enough! Their vegan timepieces were a hit, but they wanted to do more. So they created a line of eco friendly vegan bags, too. But that’s not all! They decided to create an all new material, called Suberhide.
Based on cork, it has the discernible feel and subtle textures of rich leather, but without any of the cruelty, of course!
We also love the lush, red velvet interiors of these bags, and their substantial, solid-feeling brass hardware. One of the best vegan bag brands around, for sure!
Made from: Cork-based Suberhide
Prices: From $149
Based: USA
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Using every day.
9. The Jacksons
I love this Notting Hill, London based brand!
Their handcrafted accessories are ethically made by women in Bangladesh. Thanks to their partnership with The Jacksons, these women now have access to free medical care and schools. They are paid directly, which gives them independence and status, empowering them to make decisions within their families.
But the brand isn’t just ethical in terms of empowering women: they also care deeply about the environment and animals. All their fun, cheeky bags are made from 100% cruelty free, eco-friendly materials, such as jute, wood, and even recycled potato chip bags!
Made from: Straw, wood, jute recycled chip bags
Prices: From around $50
Based: UK
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Summer vibes.
10. Ucon Acrobatics
The concept upon which Ucon Acrobatics exists is simple: animals are not expendable and they must not suffer for our products. Their first backpack launched back in 2016 and was made primarily from recycled plastics and reused materials. In fact, around 20 plastic bottles made each one backpack – cool, huh?
Leading by example to showcase how the destruction of our planet should be a thing of the past, the brand is creating durable, timeless designs for the urban nomads.
Honouring passion, creativity as well as the planet, Ucon Acrobatics creates high-quality bags and backpacks that teach consumers that less is more, whole catering to their everyday life.
Made from: PUrTEX∞, a unique material made from recycled PU
Prices: From around $120
Based: EU
One of the best eco friendly vegan handbag brands for: Minimalist, European style for men and women.
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Thanks for including my content in this valuable post! Great list 🙂