In an effort to get away from using leather in their products, manufacturers of vegan alternatives often turn to polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Although vegan, both of these are plastic – and it’s therefore a fair bet that your non-leather, cruelty-free handbag isn’t environmentally friendly.
If you’d prefer to source an alternative, then check out this guide: 5 Vegan Leather Alternatives to PU and PVC & are they Sustainable?
Following a brief look at the pros and cons of PU and PVC for making accessories, it assesses the advantages and disadvantages of five leather substitutes:
- Cork leather;
- Piñatex (pineapple leather);
- Apple leather;
- Cactus leather; and
- Mushroom leather.
Which is the author’s favourite material? Read the article to find out.
