Not All “Vegan” Leather Is Plant-Based: Here’s Why That Matters

The word vegan shows up on more labels than ever before. From food to fashion, it has become a way to signal kindness, ethics, and good choices. So when a bag is made from “vegan leather,” it often gets grouped into the same category as plant-based or sustainable options. But there is a difference. A very real, often hidden, and deeply important difference.

At R&E, we believe in making things that are not just kind to animals, but also kind to people and the planet. That’s why we don’t use synthetic vegan leather. We use plant-based materials made from corn and crop waste instead. There is a reason for that choice, and it begins with asking a simple but overlooked question. What is vegan leather made of?

 

If It’s Not Animal, Then What Is It?

Many people see the words “vegan leather” and assume that it must be clean and conscious. But most of the time, that material is made from plastic. Specifically, it is made using petroleum-based compounds like PU (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These are synthetic substances that may avoid animal harm, but come with their own set of consequences.

PU is a chemical-based material derived from fossil fuels. It requires energy-intensive processing, often involves toxic solvents, and is not biodegradable. The final result may feel soft and leather-like, but it is still plastic. PVC is even worse. It can release harmful toxins during production and over time as it breaks down. Both materials are technically “vegan” in the sense that they don’t contain animal parts, but that does not make them sustainable.

 

Plant-Based and Vegan Are Not the Same Thing

When people hear the term “plant-based leather,” they often think it is just another version of vegan leather. But that’s not quite true. All plant-based leather is vegan, but not all vegan leather is plant-based.

Plant-based leathers are made from natural sources like corn, cactus, pineapple, or coconut. These materials reduce the need for fossil fuels, are often biodegradable or partially biodegradable, and come from renewable resources. They are designed to create less waste, use fewer harmful chemicals, and move away from the kind of production that damages the earth.

This is not just a difference in terminology. It is a difference in the entire lifecycle of the material from what it is made of, to how it’s processed, to what happens when you’re done using it.

 

Sustainability Is Not a Surface Texture

You can’t tell how sustainable something is just by touching it. Many synthetic vegan leathers feel soft, look polished, and seem like a good alternative to animal leather. But what you can’t see is what went into making it.

The production of synthetic vegan leather often involves chemicals that pollute water sources and affect workers’ health. It can release volatile organic compounds into the air and create long-term waste. These materials do not biodegrade. They simply break down into smaller pieces of plastic and remain in the environment for hundreds of years.

A bag made from synthetic leather might be labeled cruelty-free, but if its creation relies on fossil fuels and its end-of-life leads to landfill, then the damage is just happening in a different place. True sustainability is not about how something looks on the outside. It is about what happens before and after it reaches your hands.

 

Choosing Kindness and Intention

Choosing a cruelty-free product should not come at the cost of other kinds of harm. At R&E, we want to create alternatives that feel as good as they look. That is why we make bags from corn leather and crop-based materials, designed to reduce waste and replace plastic.

Our materials are plant-based, bio-based, and free from petroleum. They are processed in ways that use less water, avoid harsh chemicals, and support a more circular way of making things. They are safe to wear, safe to work with, and built to last.

We believe that kindness should not have trade-offs. You shouldn’t have to choose between animal safety and environmental responsibility. You should be able to carry something that reflects all your values at once.

What You Don’t See Still Matters

The biggest mistake we can make is assuming that the label tells the full story. The words “vegan leather” may sound thoughtful, but they don’t always say what’s hidden inside.

That is why transparency matters. You deserve to know what you’re carrying and what it took to make it. When you reach for a plant-based bag, you’re reaching for something that came from the earth in a way that respects it. You’re choosing a material that started as food crop waste or natural fiber, not as a chemical blend. You’re reducing your impact in ways that go beyond the surface.

There is something powerful about knowing what’s behind your choices. It brings intention to your everyday. It connects you to the hands and places involved in creating what you use. And it reminds you that you don’t have to settle for half-truths in the name of convenience.

 

Real Sustainability Is Built into Every Step

At R&E, we believe in making better choices.
We spend months researching our materials, working with responsible suppliers, and designing in ways that reduce waste. We produce in small batches to avoid excess. We partner with artists to give new meaning to design. And we make our pieces one at a time, with real people at the center of our process.

We use corn leather not just for its look or feel, but for what it stands for. It is made from non-edible parts of the corn plant, blended with bio-based content, and engineered to replace plastic without losing strength. It lets us create beautiful, durable bags that are aligned with what we believe in.

Every stitch, every fold, every finish carries that same mindset. That beauty is better when it’s honest. That design means more when it lasts. And that the best kind of style is the one you feel good about choosing.

The Next Time You See “Vegan Leather,” Pause

Not all vegan leather is created equal. Some of it may do less harm than traditional animal leather, but that does not mean it is good for the environment. Many versions still rely on fossil fuels, create pollution, and leave behind waste that lingers for centuries.

Plant-based leather is different. It begins with natural sources, avoids toxic processing, and is made to respect the entire cycle of use. It does not trade one form of harm for another. It offers a third path, one that is thoughtful, responsible, and rooted in care.

That is what we believe fashion should be.
Not perfect, but honest. Not mass-produced, but meaningful. And always made with a sense of purpose that stays with you.

Final Thought

The word “vegan” on a label may be enough to catch your eye, but it should not be the end of the conversation. Ask what the material is made from. Ask how it was processed. Ask what happens after its use.

At R&E, we believe you deserve better answers and better bags. That’s why we design with plants, not plastic. We build with hands, not machines. And we choose materials that hold more than your essentials. They hold your intention, your values, and your belief that fashion can do better.

R&E Made to Love
Thoughtful by nature. Personal by design.