So, when a brand tells me their bag is vegan leather and far more sustainable than my animal leather handbag that was made from hides which were a by-product of the meat industry and would have otherwise been discarded, I disagree with them.
Vegan leather can be a solution for people who do not want to have animal products in their lives, but it’s often not the solution to sustainable fabric.
When you’re considering what type of leather to opt for in a garment or product, choose with your own values, but don’t fall for the “it’s vegan so it’s sustainable” rhetoric.
For example, you know those belts that crumble and shoes that begin dropping little bits with every step? They’re made from plastic. Vegan leather usually doesn’t age or wear as well as animal hide. This increases your cost per use and means the item will end up in landfill far quicker. Does this sound sustainable to you?
I’m not saying you should drop your animal welfare values and only wear cow skins. But when you’re buying something, look past the mask of the “vegan leather” label and ask what it’s made from. And if you’re entranced by the concept of cacti and pineapple leather, check out the brand Velvet Heartbeat - in Auckland we’re lucky to have a local maker of sustainable vegan leather products.