Traditional LeatherAnimal
(Most common) Skin of cattle, calves, pigs, sheep, lambs, goats
(Less common) Skin of crocodiles, snakes, kangaroos, zebras and elephants
Sustainability Journal
Traditional Leather vs.
Vegan Leather
Not all vegan leather is created equal.
Behind the label, many products marketed as sustainable alternatives are still made largely from PVC or PU—petroleum-based plastics designed to mimic the look and feel of leather. While they avoid animal materials, they’re usually far from environmentally harmless. These plastics rely heavily on fossil fuels, require energy-intensive production, and do not biodegrade, often contributing to long-term pollution.
The term vegan leather can sound inherently sustainable, but in reality, it can sometimes replace one issue with another. This is where greenwashing begins, when the story sounds cleaner than the truth behind it.
We believe transparency matters. It’s not enough to know what a material leaves out. We should also understand what goes into it, how it’s made, and what happens to it over time.
For us, sustainability is not just a label. It’s a responsibility and one that deserves honesty, not disguise.
The Full Comparison
Traditional Leather vs. Vegan Leather
Three different materials — where each one comes from, how it is made, how long it lasts, and what happens to it at the end.
A Quick Introduction
Source
PVC / PUPlastic · Petroleum-based
Plastic
Petroleum-based chemicals
Plant-basedNon-animal
Plant-based materials such as apple peel, pineapple leaves, olive, mushroom mycelium, coconut, cactus, bamboo, etc
Summary of Process
- Sourcing & Preparation – Animal hides are cleaned and preserved with salt
- Tanning – Stabilises the hide to prevent rotting via
- (a) Chrome tanning: Most common, >90% of world’s leather, uses chemicals e.g. acids, chromium sulfate
- (b) Vegetable tanning: Less common, <10% of world’s leather, uses natural ingredients e.g. tree barks
- Dyeing & Finishing – Dyed with natural or synthetic dyes, additional finishes (waterproof coatings or wax treatments) may be applied
- Cutting & Crafting – Cut and shaped into various products
- Base Material Preparation – A fabric backing (usually polyester or cotton) is used as foundation
- Coating Application – A layer of PVC is bonded to the fabric; a layer of PU is applied to the fabric backing
- Embossing & Texturing – The coated material is pressed with a textured roller to create grain patterns
- Colouring & Finishing – Material is dyed or printed, final protective coating is added
- Raw Material Sourcing – Agricultural waste or fast-growing plants
- Processing & Pulp Formation – Plant fibers are extracted, dried and ground into a pulp or powder
- Binding & Strengthening – The fibers are mixed with natural or biodegradable binders (e.g. bio-based resins or starch). Some add PU coatings
- Texturing & Finishing – Material is pressed, embossed or dyed, before final protective coating (plant-based or synthetic) is applied
Sustainability
Environmental Impact
- Higher Carbon Footprint – Livestock industry contributes to deforestation, methane emissions and water pollution
- Tanning Process – Chrome tanning uses toxic chemicals that can pollute water sources. Vegetable tanning is more sustainable but less commonly used
- Good Lifespan – A well-maintained leather product lasts decades, reducing the need for frequent replacement
- Lower Direct Carbon Footprint – But PVC/PU are petroleum-based, contributing to plastic pollution
- Shorter Lifespan – Especially PU leather, leading to more waste over time
- Lowest Direct Carbon Footprint – Through the use of agricultural waste and bio-based materials
- Good Lifespan – A well-maintained product can be long-lasting, as good as real leather
Durability & Longevity
Highly durable – A real leather product can last 20+ years when properly cared for. Ages well and can be repaired, reducing overall waste
Not durable – Peels or cracks within a few years, leading to faster disposal
Highly durable – High quality plant-based leathers have proven to be quite durable and a good alternative to real leather
Biodegradability
Depends on tanning process – Vegetable tanned leather (less common) biodegrades naturally, while chemically treated leather takes decades to break down
Not biodegradable – PVC/PU are plastics and contribute to microplastic pollution
Biodegradable – Except for those which still contain plastic coatings
Ethical Considerations
Animal Welfare
Debatable issues on factory farming and animal slaughter, though leather is a by-product of the meat industry but the industry still supports animal agricultural
Cruelty-free – No animals are harmed. (commonly known as vegan leather)
Cruelty-free – No animals are harmed. (commonly known as vegan leather)
For us, sustainability isn’t just a label. It’s a responsibility, and one that deserves honesty, not disguise.
be.Bold is committed to plant-based leather because we believe style should never come at the expense of animals or the planet. By choosing animal and cruelty-free materials with a demonstrably lower carbon footprint than traditional leather and many fossil-based synthetics, we help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve resources. Our olive-derived leather, created from agricultural by-products, supports a more circular economy, transforming waste into enduring pieces, reflecting our commitment to responsible innovation, season after season.
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