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The perfect handbag is your best friend when you’re constantly on the go. It can hold all your belongings and gets bonus points if it keeps them organized too. Now, the perfect sustainable handbags do all that and more- they’re also made ethically from eco-friendly materials.
So, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite sustainable handbags. If you’re vegan, you’ll love the apple leather bags. Others are artisan-made and use leather that is certified by ethical tanneries. Some brands even give back or are B-Corps. All of them make an effort to make a product that has a positive impact on the planet and people along their supply chain. And, each is high quality handbag that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Cuyana Leather Tote
Gold Medal-certified by the Leather Working Group
Going through the basis of sustainability, Cuyana is a firm believer in owning fewer but better things. This Classic Leather Zipper Tote is an original and unique gift, that supports the brand’s cause. It also comes in several colors, making it an extraordinary choice.
Environmental Impact: Cuyana is on the path to using only 100% sustainable materials by 2022. Each piece is created by skilled artisans around the world. For example, its cotton comes from Turkey, its alpaca from Peru, and its straw from Ecuador. Furthermore, it works with the best leather craftsmen in Argentina and Italy that is Gold Medal-certified by the Leather Working Group. To minimize its waste Cuyana has established the Lean Closet program in partnership with thredUp, something which encourages its clients to recycle the items they no longer use. You can read more about its sustainability commitments here.
ABLE Shoulder Bag
Handmade in Ethiopia
This U.S-based sustainable fashion brand is on a mission to eradicating poverty through providing economic opportunities for women. By purchasing the Solome Shoulder bag, which is not only a wonderful and stylish gift, you will also make an environmental impact.
Environmental Impact: The leather, as a byproduct of the meat industry, fits Able’s sustainability ground. The packaging, the shipping, the workers, and wages are all incorporated into the brands’ foundation.
Angela Roi Small Vegan Cacta Tote
Made with Plant-based Leather
Angela Roi is a vegan accessories brand that focuses on handbags made from cactus leather. Whether you choose the Cacta Small Tote for you or a gift, you’re purchasing sustainable handbags that do not come at the expense of values.
Carbon-negative. Re-harvestable. Our newest plant-based leather crossbody bag is our most ec-conscious yet.
Environmental Impact: Derived from non-animal materials, Angela Roi’s sustainable handbags promote the use of cactus leather and better environmental design approaches within the fashion industry. Cactus leather is a plant-based leather that is vegan friendly and non-toxic making them safe for both the wearers and makers. Shop their collections and also and also check out #HowMyBagIsMade.
SINBONO Vegan Leather Handbag
Made from Plant-based Leather & Recycled Plastic
Sustainability can be fashionable too. Especially if you want to spread it as a gift. The green Drawstring Handbag is an exquisite option made from a combination of recycled plastic and apple leather that is buttery soft.
Environmental Impact: Not only is it a trendy and modern gift, but it also speaks highly of the brand’s sustainability approach: not harming animals, saving the planet, being earth-friendly and fashionable all year round.
Nisolo Clara Crossbody
Made with Living Wages
The Clara Crossbody bag delivers a minimal and well-structured design, everything a modern woman asks for. Coming in 4 different colors, it is a perfect depiction that elegance and sustainability can co-exist.
Environmental Impact: All leather used in Nisolo leather products are sourced from the meat industry as byproducts that would otherwise be thrown out. The artisans who make the products are given a living wage and educational resources to ensure that they have the opportunities to save and invest in their futures. With every purchase, the brand ensures a living wage to 100% of the workers in their factories and combats 100% of the carbon emission, etc.
Samara Apple Leather Mini
Made from Apple Leather
The Apple Leather Mini is a true representation of Samara’s minimalist design and dedication to vegan materials like plant-based leather.
Environmental Impact: Samara’s commitment to the world is that it will use the most eco-friendly vegan leather there is. The brand uses water-based PU to make its vegan leather which is less toxic than the industry standard PVC. Also, apple leather is a material used a lot for its bags. It is made from the by-product of apple skins (discarded by juicing companies) and its far more environmentally friendly than vegan leather.
Luxtra Apple Leather Crossbody
B-Corp Brand
This B-Corp brand is focused on creating beautiful accessories that leave a positive change. This bag is named after the activist Zanele Muholi.
Environmental Impact: Another fashion brand that uses vegan leather made from discarded apple skins. Other plant-based leathers used are sourced from mangoes and corn. And, the brand focuses on natural materials like organic cotton for their bag linings. All bags are made ethically and meet the standards of fair labor set by B-Corp certifications.