Eco-Friendly Materials: The Vegan Alternatives To Leather

We are in a world where sustainability is becoming more and more important. There are many ways to keep fashion sustainable, but did you know that there are 3 great materials that can provide a vegan alternative for leather? All three of these materials have their own advantages; take a look at this article to learn more about them.

There are many ways to make fashion more sustainable. One way is to choose clothing and accessories made from sustainable materials. Sustainable materials are those that have a low environmental impact and can be reused or recycled. Some examples of sustainable materials used in clothing include organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and recycled polyester.

3 Eco-Friendly Materials That Work As A Vegan Alternative To Leather

When it comes to vegan leather, there are a few different materials that can be used as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative. Here are 3 great materials that I use as well:

1. Desserto

Desserto is an organic material made from Nopal cactus. It is a vegan alternative to leather and it is soft to the touch and offers a great performance. It is cruelty-free and a sustainable alternative without any toxic chemicals, phthalates and PVC. It is also partially biodegradable. Cactus is also s great natural carbon sink and it has a great CO2 sequestering capacity. The material is approved by PETA, has OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Global Recycled Standard and other certificates. 

Some sustainable facts about Desserto:

• enriches the soil micro-flora and micro-fauna through native and typical organic cactus afforestation, 
• huge savings in water as no irrigation is applied, 
• environmental preservation as no chemicals are used like herbicides or pesticides,
• cactus is left unharmed to enable repeated harvesting from the same plant for many years, 
• energy savings by drying the feed-stock in a solarium and
• full vision and traceability of the farm to ensure sustainable social practices. 

Bags made from Desserto are durable and resistant to outdoor exposure. They are lightweight, easy to handle and great for everyday use. To keep the bag with you as long as possible, you can also clean it if necessary.

2. Piñatex

Piñatex is a natural, sustainably-sourced, cruelty free material made from waste pineapple leaf fibres. The leaves are the byproduct of existing agriculture, the raw material requires no additional environmental resources to produce. The material has low environmental impact and high social responsibility. It is a great vegan alternative to traditional leather. The material is PETA approved and registered by the Vegan Society. The dyes used for the material are GOTS approved and the resins comply with AFIRM standards. Piñatex is also REACH compliant.

Bags made from Piñatex are durable and resistant to outdoor exposure. They are lightweight, easy to handle and great for everyday use.

3. Washable paper

Washable paper Washpapa® is made from cellulose. It is a great vegan alternative to traditional leather materials and is manufactured in Europe, respecting human rights. It contains latex, making it durable and flexible; it does not deform in water and it does not discolour or dissolve. The material is certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 – a symbol of a guarantee of testing textiles for the presence of harmful substancesand. It is also Forest Stewardship Council (SCS) certified - awarded to timber forest products.

Bags made from washable paper are durable, they do not shrink or stretch and are resistant to washing and outdoor exposure. They are very lightweight, easy to handle and perfect for everyday use. The more you use them, the better they look!

There are many ways to keep fashion sustainable. One way is to buy clothes from sustainable brands. Another way is to donate or sell your old clothes instead of throwing them away. You can also shop secondhand stores or consignment shops. And finally, you can mend and repair your clothes instead of buying new ones. By following these tips, you can help make the fashion industry more sustainable.