As animal lovers, we’ve been led to believe that buying vegan leather is the safe alternative to wearing traditional leather … only, what if it’s not?

And should we be avoiding leather and pleather all together?

How I Save: A 47-year-old administrator cutting back after switching to part-time hours

Sure, on first glance, that faux leather jacket you’ve been mooning over looks like a sweet deal – no animals were directly harmed to make it, and the price tag won’t have you sobbing over your credit card bill.

But what about its cost to the environment?


‘There are two reasons that any product impacts the environment; that is the impact of the manufacturing process, and the impact the waste product has,’ says Lauren Withers, an Environmental Scientist working in the water quality space on the Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia.



Most fake leathers are made from some kind of plastic, and the two most commonly used – polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane – are also two of the worst.

PVC is made with highly toxic ingredients, like chlorine and petroleum, and neither of these products are environmentally sustainable to extract or refine.

The other problem with faux leather is that it has a relatively short lifespan and is bound to make it into the trash faster than traditional leather products.

‘PVC is not “degradable”, it simply breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, and will eventually end up in the environment as a waste product,’ says Withers.

The increasing worry is where it ends up once it has broken down.

‘Plastic truly is forever. Every bit of plastic that has ever been manufactured is still in existence today. Plastic eventually breaks down into microscopic particles, or “microplastics” and these particles can be ingested and then absorbed by organisms.’

‘Concerns over plastic waste entering our water ways and oceans are no-longer limited to the devastating image of a beautiful green turtle mistaking a plastic bag for a delicious jellyfish,’ says Withers.

Sure, PVC and polyurethane aren’t the only ways to make leather alternatives (you can use cotton, cork and, rather ingeniously, pineapple waste) but they are the most common and need to be considered, even potentially avoided, when making purchases.

Leather isn’t a guilt-free option either.

Animals aside for a moment, in countries where environmental regulations aren’t enforced, the tanning process can leak dangerous chemicals into the environment.

So how can we reduce our fashion footprint on the planet? Designers are now looking for out of the box solutions to create beautiful products that are kinder to the environment.

One of these is Aylin Kanginnadhi, Founder and Creative Director of STRAW the label, a Bali-based leather goods and swimwear company.

‘I started in late 2013 out of a desire to produce beautiful, functional bags for everyday life. I love leather but I am also wary of the environmental impact.’

‘All our leather materials come from excess export production, which means we do not add waste in the leather tanning and dyeing process. It was by chance that I met a producer who was willing to make a small collection and had leather leftovers from big clients,’ she says.



‘With a limited supply of good quality surplus leather, after three years in business, we are at our maximum production capacity.’

Whilst Kanginnadhi uses what’s available to reduce waste and pollution, she acknowledges that any type of leather is never green or cruelty-free.

‘It is not for people who are opposed to animal products. The industrial tanning process is bad for the environment, there is no argument there. But, with proper care, a good quality leather product will last for years, if not a lifetime. It can always be mended when a stitch or two comes loose. The longer a product lasts the better it is for the planet.’

Buying high-quality pieces you can love for longer is a great way to position yourself as a more considerate consumer.

Kanginnadhi’s tip?

‘Definitely quality over quantity. Pay attention to the stuff you already have and build from there. There are a bunch of ethical fashion and homemaking tips online … find what works for you!’

And if you still have reservations about which products are safest for the environment, buying second-hand is a great way to extricate yourself from the cycle of mass-produced fast fashion, and a patient search through dusty shelves can often yield a jackpot of pre-loved designer goods.

As Withers says, ‘Most mass produced products are going to have a devastating effect either socially, environmentally or on our health.’

‘My advice would be to start small, focus on one behaviour to change and develop a positive habit.’


‘Congratulate yourself on that small success, and build from there.’

MORE: What your vegan food choices say about you

MORE: British Sandwich Week – 10 vegan sandwich fillings everyone will love

Advertisement Advertisement