What is vegan leather made from, anyway? Before learning more about the options, it’s important to note that if you’re looking for a cruelty-free and eco-friendly alternative to real leather, then vegan leather is a great option!

If you’re looking for a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to real leather, keep reading to learn more about what vegan leather is made from!

What Exactly is Vegan Leather?

Vegan leather is a material that looks and feels like leather but is not made from animal skin. It is usually made from PVC, PU, or other synthetic materials. But other more natural options exist.

For example, our vegan leather is made from Teak leaves, coffee beans, and garlic, and we’re constantly experimenting to uncover other cruelty-free leather options.

There are many reasons why someone might choose to buy vegan leather instead of real leather. For some people, it is a way to avoid using products that are made from animals. Others may prefer vegan leather because it is more environmentally friendly than real leather. Vegan leather does not require the farming of animals or the use of their skin, so it has a smaller carbon footprint.

Love this post? Make sure to learn how to clean vegan leather by reading our other article now.

What is vegan leather made from?

Various companies are crafting vegan leather from all sorts of materials. There are chemical-based options, like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which often get a bad rap for being environmentally harmful. Then there are the more “natural” options, such as Teak leaves, coffee beans, garlic, pineapple leaves, cork, and even apple peels!

The most popular vegan leathers on the market are PU and PVC, which are used to make up the majority of vegan leather products. However, there’s a growing trend of business operators who are using more sustainable materials to create their vegan leathers.

At Plant Hide, we use a blend of Teak leaves and coffee beans to create a high-quality vegan leather that’s environmentally friendly and sustainable. Feel free to shop our vegan leather options and contact us with any questions!

Why isn’t leather vegan?

Leather is not vegan because it’s made from the skin of animals. The process of turning animal skin into leather also often involves harmful chemicals and can cause environmental damage. Any product that’s produced using animal byproducts is not vegan.

Equally important to mention are the many benefits to vegan leather! As we mentioned before, it’s more environmentally friendly than real leather since it doesn’t require animal farming or the use of harmful chemicals. It’s also a great option for people who want to avoid using products made from animals.

Whether you’re looking for a cruelty-free and sustainable leather alternative or you simply don’t like the idea of wearing animal skin, vegan leather is a great option for you!

The Truth Behind the Leather Industry

The leather industry tries to paint a pretty picture, but the truth is that it’s far from being sustainable or humane.

Leather production often involves harsh chemicals and can cause environmental damage. The farming of animals for their skin also requires large amounts of land, water, and food. And let’s not forget the inhumane treatment of animals in leather production facilities.

Leather is not a harmless byproduct of the meat industry – it’s an industry all its own, and one that’s rife with cruelty. Global leather production is commonly outsourced to regions outside of the US, including Bangladesh, India, and China. However, equally important to remember is that the cows killed stateside for their skins are treated with comparable cruelty.

In the United States, cows used for leather are typically brought to slaughterhouses via crowded trucks and trailers. They’re often given electric shocks, hit, and prodded with sharp objects in order to force them onto the vehicles. Once they arrive at the slaughterhouse, they’re hung upside down and their throats are slit open. The cows often remain conscious during this entire process, and it can take up to two minutes for them to bleed out and die.

After the cows are killed, their skins are peeled off and turned into leather. The process of tanning leather often uses harmful chemicals, including chromium, which can pollute local water supplies.

So, the next time you’re considering buying a leather product, remember the truth behind the industry. Choose vegan leather instead – it’s a more sustainable and humane option!

If you’re looking for a more sustainable and humane alternative to leather, vegan leather is a great option! It’s made from materials like Teak leaves, coffee beans, and garlic, and it doesn’t require the use of animals or harmful chemicals

Types of Vegan Leather

Vegan Leather Made from Teak Leaves

At Plant Hide, we love vegan leather made from Teak leaves. This material is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and stylish. The leaves are also sustainably gathered.

Teak leaves are a great option for vegan leather because they’re strong and durable, and they offer a leather-like smell after they’re freshly processed. Plus, they have a natural leaf pattern that gives them a unique look. And let’s not forget, the material is waterproof, meaning water beads up and rolls right off of the material!

Vegan Leather Made from Coffee Beans

Coffee beans are another great material for vegan leather. While the beverage we all know and love has been around since approximately 800 A.D., they’re also excellent for producing vegan leather creations.

The beans are environmentally friendly and sustainable and sustainably gathered. They give the vegan leather a unique speckled pattern. The coffee beans are also ground up and mixed with other vegan leather materials to create a durable and sturdy leather alternative.

Vegan Leather Made from Garlic

Garlic is another unlikely material that can be used to make vegan leather! The garlic cloves are peeled and the skin is then used to create a strong and durable vegan leather.

The material is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and stylish. The cloves are also sustainably gathered. Equally important to know is that garlic vegan leather does not have an off-putting odor. So, there’s no need to worry about your new leather jacket or handbag smelling like garlic bread!

Vegan Leather Made from Piñatex

Piñatex is a type of vegan leather made from pineapple leaves. The material is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and stylish. Plus, it’s strong and durable.

The pineapple leaves are sustainably gathered, and the material does not require the use of animals or harmful chemicals. Piñatex is also biodegradable, meaning it won’t pollute the environment when it’s disposed of.

Vegan Leather Made from Cork

Vegan leather made from cork is another excellent environmentally friendly and sustainable option. Cork is a renewable resource, meaning it can be harvested without damaging the tree.

Plus, cork is biodegradable and recyclable. It’s also water-resistant and fire-resistant. So, if you’re looking for a durable and sustainable vegan leather option, cork is a great choice!

Vegan Leather Made from Wine

Vegan leather made from wine? Is that really a thing?

Yes, it is! Wine vegan leather is made from the leftover grape skins and seeds that are left over from the wine-making process.

The material is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and stylish. Plus, it’s strong and durable. Wine vegan leather is also water-resistant and fire-resistant.

Vegan Leather Made from Mushroom

Mushrooms are also being used to create vegan leather. The material is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and stylish. Plus, it’s strong and durable.

Various types of fungi are a great option for vegan leather because they’re a renewable resource. They can be harvested without damaging the environment. And, mushrooms are also biodegradable and recyclable.

Vegan Leather Made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)

PVC leather is known for being environmentally damaging. It is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which releases dioxins when burned. Dioxins are extremely harmful and can cause cancer, birth defects, and damage to the immune system. PVC also uses plasticizers, such as phthalates, to make it flexible. Phthalates are toxic chemicals that can cause hormonal disruptions, birth defects, and reproductive problems. PVC has been portrayed by Greenpeace as the “single most environmentally damaging type of plastic.” If you are looking for a vegan leather alternative that is more environmentally friendly, consider options such as polyurethane (PU) or polyester.

Vegan Leather Made from Polyurethane (PU)

Vegan leather can also be made using Polyurethane (PU). PU is a type of plastic that is less harmful to the environment than PVC. It does not release dioxins when burned, and it does not use phthalates or other toxic chemicals. PU is also a more durable and water-resistant option than PVC.

Vegan Leather Made from Polyester

Polyester is another vegan leather alternative that is more environmentally friendly than PVC. This is a type of plastic that is less harmful to the environment than PVC. It does not release dioxins when burned and doesn’t use phthalates or other toxic chemicals. Polyester is also a more durable and water-resistant option than PVC.

Vegan Leather FAQ

Is vegan leather durable?

The durability of vegan leather depends on the material it is made from. Teak leaf leather is quite strong, particularly for vegan leather wallet creation. Some vegan leathers, such as PVC, are not as durable as others. However, there are many types of vegan leather that are just as durable, if not more so, than traditional leather. These include materials such as polyurethane (PU), polyester, and cork.

Is vegan leather biodegradable?

All vegan leather is not biodegradable. For instance, PVC leather is not biodegradable. However, there are many types of vegan leather that are biodegradable, such as those made from Teak leaves, garlic, banana leaves, and pineapple.

Is vegan leather good quality?

The quality of vegan leather depends on the producer and the materials used. Some vegan leathers, such as PVC, are not as good quality as others. However, there are many types of vegan leather that are of high quality, such as those made from Teak leaves, polyurethane (PU), polyester, and cork.

Is vegan leather just pleather?

Pleather is a type of vegan leather made from PVC. While all vegan leather is not pleather, pleather is a type of vegan leather.

Is vegan Leather more expensive?

Vegan leather can be more expensive than traditional leather. However, this isn’t always the case. The price of vegan leather depends on the producer and the materials used. Some vegan leathers, such as PVC, are less expensive than others. But, equally important to note is that there are many types of vegan leather that may be more expensive than traditional leather, such as those made from Teak leaves, polyurethane (PU), polyester, and cork.

Does vegan leather crack?

The cracking of vegan leather depends on the material it is made from. For instance, PVC leather is known to crack. However, there are many types of vegan leather that do not crack, such as vegan leathers made from Teak leaves.

Is Vegan leather just plastic?

Vegan leather is not just plastic. While some vegan leathers may use or be made from plastic, such as PVC, there are many types of vegan leather that are not made from plastic. These include vegan leathers made from Teak leaves, garlic skins, banana leaves, and more.

Is vegan leather waterproof?

Vegan leather can be waterproof and can be waterproofed with the right coating. However, not all vegan leather is waterproof. The waterproofing of vegan leather depends on the material it is made from. For instance, PVC leather is waterproof. But, there are many types of vegan leather that are not waterproof and need a nontoxic biofilm coating, such as those made from Teak leaves, garlic skins, and banana leaves.

So, there you have it! These are just a few of the many types of vegan leather available on the market today. When you’re shopping for your next leather product, be sure to consider vegan leather as a more sustainable and humane option!