Eco-Friendly Handbags

Written By Samantha Grayer

Let Me See The Label has reviewed a plethora of companies because I wanted to provide my readers a with a well rounded selection of eco friendly handbags. The companies reflected below should be able to provide consumers with the same core values, transparency, and integrity that I do.

I hope this post bring you some peace of mind when your out shopping for handbags. Because when it comes to the well being of humans, I believe that it should also align with the well being of animals and the environment.

Year’s ago, vegan leather was the latest greatest thing to the cruelty world. However, have you ever researched what kind of process goes into a vegan leather or chrome leather handbag? No? That’s ok, I have. Vegan leather was a nice concept until they submerged the cruelty free material in heavy metals and mordant solutions that quickly removed debris for sanitization purposes. Then these handbags get submerged in a synthetic coating, which could either be PVC also known as polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane (PU). Both are commonly used plastic and oil polymers which are considered toxic, and the manufacturing process is not environmentally friendly. These chemicals release dioxins which can cause overall health problems for the employees working in these factories.

So, remember when we all thought vegan leather was a good alternative? Now we know that chemicals like this can turn a non-toxic fabric into something I wouldn’t want over my shoulder or next to my hip.

Conscious consumer guidelines to consider.   

  1. BUY-Vegetable Tanned Leather

  2. DO NOT BUY- Chrome Tanned Leather.

  3. VERIFY PROCESS- Do not buy vegan leather unless you have contacted the company to verify the manufacturing process for toxicity.

  4. REVIEW- Ask the company about their dyeing process. Avoid buying products from companies that use synthetic dyes which contain heavy metals to create colors that contribute to environmental waste and are health hazards for employees.

  5. COMPARE-What kind of mordants are they using to bind the color to the fabric?

  6. ASK-What are these companies using to sanitize the material/fabric at the beginning and throughout their process: baking soda, borax, aluminum, sulfur or hydrogen peroxide?

  7. Are these companies producing products in a closed loop way?

  8. Is the community positively impacted by the company you want to buy from?

  9. Does the company provide a safe and fair-trade environment for the workers?

  10. Can the brand verify and ensure their manufacturing employees are paid fairly?

SOCCO- This French style bag is called the Santiago, I purchased it from one of my favorite retailers here in Canada called ShopEco. This tote bag is sustainably handmade with palm leaves and leather handles all ethically done in morocco.

LIKHA- These handbags from Likha are pieces of art! I was so taken back by the craftmanship that I even included a video at the bottom of this post so you can see why these handbags from Likha are so special. This company goes above and beyond to support their community and even uses palm fibers to create these eco-friendly and sustainable purses.

HOIBO - This Toronto based retailer makes the most stunning pieces. I found their sustainable handbag section to be very relatable because they literally have something for everyone and they are all made from different eco-friendly material. I specifically fell in love with this Wet Wax Box Market Shopper handbag and I think you will too.

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Will Leather Goods - Take a look at this crossbody handbag from Will Leather Goods! They make their leather goods using the vegetable tanning process which is more eco- friendly than chrome tanning; which is a big deal in the world of leather! You can clearly see the quality of the craftmanship in the small details just from the picture. I can’t wait to see this handbag in real life when I place my order!

Nisolo- Woman need options, so I have included a variety of handbag styles and I find this shape to be very professional and travel worthy! I like my handbags to have structure and durability and I find that with Nisolo’s Simone Crossbody Shopper. It’s the perfect medium size bag to throw in your cosmetics or a laptop and go. Take a look at their vegetable tanned leather options using the link provided.

Cuyana- This zippered satchel is made with vegetable tanned Italian leather and is LWG Gold certified. What more do you want from me, this handbag is gorgeous and in a color everyone can enjoy. Click the link and checkout more details on Cuyana’s website.

Shinola- This Detroit, Michigan company uses vegetable tanned Italian leather as well as cotton to create their Sibley mini crossbody. Shinola has always been known for its high quality watches and now its time to try this Detroit made leather crossbody that provides jobs for this community.

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MP Leatherworks - Grab this medium size handmade vegetable tanned leather from MP Leatherworks. These handbags are available instore at HereAfter in Chatham, Ontario and if your looking for a custom piece message MP Leatherworks on Instagram.

Samantha Grayer
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