Veganism is spreading like wildfire across the world, especially in Australia. Everything that has a remote implication of animal by-products is being disregarded. As a result, around 2% of the world’s population has adopted a vegan lifestyle.
Not just food, but vegans are spreading their roots in the bags and accessories industry as well. Thus, if you search for vegan handbags in Australia, you will find numerous options. Yet, people still find it challenging to understand what vegan leather is.
Are you on the same boat as them? Then, here is everything you need to know about vegan leather.
What Do You Mean by Vegan Leather?
The question everyone keeps asking is – Is vegan leather really vegan?
The main ingredient used in vegan leather is polyurethane. It is a polymer that can mimic the designer’s requirements with leather. Therefore, every bag that has a cruelty-free or vegan tag alludes to the material being faux leather.
Indeed, vegan leather does not use any animal products. The glue, the material and the manufacturing process are entirely free of animal products.
In some cases, these bags have synthetic leather made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as well. It gets dubbed as pleather which is a replicant leather.
Either way, these ingredients are plastic-based but have a sustainable essence. Furthermore, some vegan bags have innovative usage of apple peels, recycled plastic, leaves etc.
For example, PETA has facilitated the manufacture of a bag made from cactus!
The Process of Manufacturing Vegan Leather
Any leather that does not use animal skin is synthetic. Therefore, the product will undergo different chemical processes to mimic genuine leather.
The primary process that is used is called bonding. Due to this, the plastic coating becomes the fabric backing and creates durable faux leather. However, the use of plastic in different faux leathers varies, which alludes to its eco-friendliness.
The use of polyvinyl chloride makes vegan leather release dioxins. It can be dangerous when burnt and causes a hazard in confined spaces. However, the use of this material has been minimised since the ’70s.
In this age, the polyurethane material is less damaging and has a technical use. With this, the manufacturers have curbed the release of flawed toxins.
The use of oil-based polymers has made the vegan leather industry more appreciated. Moreover, new technology has facilitated the rise of sustainable alternatives to harmful materials. Now, there are specific vegan alternatives to polyvinyl chloride found in the industry.
Is Vegan Leather a Good Alternative?
Every vegan will agree to this statement. However, when it comes to durability and quality, nothing can beat genuine leather. In some cases, vegan leather can also become uncomfortable while wearing.
Indeed, faux leather is cheap, but the synthetics used to make it is not biodegradable.
On the contrary, when it comes to maintenance, vegan leather wins the race. Its products do not require ongoing treatment to retain their suppleness. They are also waterproof and very durable.
The Bottom Line
Vegan leather does not have any animal products involved in its manufacturing process. Most of the companies used recycled plastic to create these bags. So, by buying them, you are actually contributing to the betterment of society and the environment.
So, the next time you search for vegan handbags Australia, look deeper into the type of plastic used to manufacture the products. The more eco-friendly it is, the better it will serve your purpose!
