Vegan Leather Is Not Always Plastic
Designers and brands are developing leather alternatives that are better for the animals and the planet
Over the years, animal rights activists have pushed the fashion industry to stop using animal products like leather and fur and seek out alternative materials. Unfortunately, most faux leather goods sold today are made from plastic-based fabrics, usually derived from petroleum. Both in manufacturing and disposal, these products are not particularly eco-friendly. On top of that, most plastic-based leathers do not stand up to wear and tear, eventually ending up in landfills where the plastic could take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Plastic-based vegan leather is not sustainable or environmentally friendly, but neither is “real” leather. Raising animals for leather and turning animal skin into leather are processes that require massive amounts of resources like water, land, food, energy, and toxic chemicals.
Instead of using plastics or exploiting animals, several designers and brands have come up with a different solution — vegan leather-like fabrics and textiles made from plants. From cacti to apples to pineapple leaves, more sustainable, environmentally-friendly vegan leather resources seem to be all around us.
