Sustainable vegan leather handbags and clutch purses
Most leather bags are made in the far east, with few animal welfare laws, and the tanning process is also bad for the planet (and can cause cancer to workers). Breeding animals to make meat or leather also causes greenhouse gas emissions.
Quality vegan handbags are made from sustainable materials like microfiber, recycled materials (unlike clothing these are not laundered so don’t release microplastics from washing machines into the sea).
How to clean sustainable vegan handbags
Wipe marks with a damp cloth (to remove oil stains, apply a little baking soda to absorb). Remove ink or make-up stains with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dry wet handbags in the shade (avoid direct sun or heat)
Votch (beautiful vegan leather handbags)
Votch (also sold at Shop Like You Give a Damn) is a wonderful pioneering brand of vegan leather bags, founded by a woman when she was in hospital with a condition that made her skin fall off. She vowed that when she got better, she would create a leather-free fashion brand that led animals keep their skins.
Like all items at Votch, a portion of profits each month, is donated to various animal welfare non-profits.
The range includes bamboo bio-leather bags either as big totes, small chain purses or elegant rucksacks. In elegant muted colours like black or tan.
LaBante luxury vegan leather handbags
LaBante vegan leather handbags are alternatives to designer luxury bags made from real leather. Ethically crafted by skilled artisans, they are made from premium plant-based leather with gentle curves, to create a timeless bag for everyday style.
This bag features a refined front strap with signature LB hardware, and a spacious interior. The slim shoulder straps rest comfortably for all-day wear, for a bag designed to stay practical through each season. In several colour choices.
MioMojo (apple leather vegan handbags)
Miomojo Vegan Tote is made from apple waste from the European food industry, blended with microfiber to produce a luxury bag to rival any designer leather bag. Designed to accommodate a laptop, documents and daily essentials, it balances function with effortless style.
Also in orange, the bag features a recycled fabric lining, and light gold hardware, with a logo-engraved brass padlock, two top handles, and adjustable crossbody strap. Handcrafted in Italy, the bag also has an internal slip pocket and external back pocket, with a main zipped compartment.
Most materials are sourced within 300km of the company’s base, to reduce ‘handbag miles’. Made in audited factories, this brand donates 10% of the sale price of each bag to animal welfare causes worldwide (including helping moon bears in Asia). Free worldwide shipping.
It also uses profits to help small independent animal sanctuaries, including one in Rome (founded by a former farmer who ‘transfarmed‘ to rescue lambs instead of selling them). After having a change of heart, he bought them back from the factory for double the price, to live out their lives in peace. Bravo Massimo!
The smaller vegan pouch bags are made from orange waste! These items are expensive, but bear in mind they are designed to replace leather designer bags that millions of women buy, so they are good alternatives.
Canussa (elegant vegan handbags from Spain)
Canussa is a range of beautiful handbags, backpacks, belts and wallets from Spain, all made with respect for people, animals and the planet. Most are made with 70% recycled plastic and 20% corn, with 10% new PU.
To minimise carbon emissions and ensure good working conditions for producers, items are made locally in Spain. This company has recently received the B Corp certification.
This is a luxury brand so expensive. But it’s important to offer such brands, for rivalling designer brands that many women buy worldwide, often from cruel practices.
A tree is planted for each bag sold. Trees clean our air and water and also create habitats for biodiversity.
The totes are ideal for daily use, and can carry all your belongings, including a reusable water bottle. It can be carried by hand or on the shoulder.
The hybrid bag is ideal for day or night. It can be worn by hand, crossbody or around the waist, adapting to each moment of your day.
Totissimo Shoulder Bag is a beautiful bag made from quality recycled microfiber, handmade by artisans in Spain. The interior pocket lining is made with SEAQUAL®, 100% recycled polyester from post-consumer ocean plastic bottles.
The versatile design adapts to every moment, and the adjustable structure enables you to modify the size to each occasion, from day to night. Functional yet sophisticated, this is the perfect accessory for work or play, combining style and practicality. Designed to last for years, it’s sold in many colours.
To care for this bag, just wipe with a damp cloth now and then, and keep in the protective cover.
Canussa Second Life is a page on the website of a maker of quality vegan bags and totes, handmade in Spain from quality recycled Microfibers.
The idea obviously is that one good bag lasts years. But quality often is expensive. So this site has a page of ‘second life’ offers, where you can buy the same quality bags at big discounts, in case of small imperfections or returns. Or sometimes prototypes that never came to market.
The images may go out of date, as obviously these are constantly changing. But as examples, one wallet is on offer as it was decided to change the colour after the prototype.
Another tote is half-price, due to a small scratch on the side. And a few totes arrived from the factory with small defects. What a bargain!
Where to donate unwanted handbags
Donate unwanted handbags to small charity shops (that don’t test on animals). You can place damaged or frayed handbags in textile banks. The materials are shredded to make insulation and other industrial goods.
