Hey, eco-chic mavens! When you're strutting your sustainable style, don't let your accessories fall behind. If you've swapped plastic grocery bags for cool canvas totes, it's time to rethink your everyday handbag. Remember the good ol' times when leather handbags were treasured gifts, not fast-fashion fodder? Well, leather's bad news for our planet—think vast land use, gushing water, and fossil fuel guzzlers, all in the name of livestock rearing. Not to mention, the leather tanning game involves nasty chemicals, creating products that just won't biodegrade.
But hold up! Don't rush to vegan leather. Not all of it's eco-friendly. Plenty of brands churn out 'pleather' from plastic, which is no eco-angel either. Sure, synthetic stuff harms our earth one-third less than real leather, but it's still on the fast track to fill our landfills.
But worry not, fashionistas. We've got you covered. Feast your eyes on our list of sustainable handbags made from plant-based and recycled materials. Say adios to corporate greenwashing! Stay in vogue without trading off your eco-friendly ethos. Style and sustainability? Yes, you can have it all!
Cactus Crossbody Camera Bag
- This sleek bag is perfect for quick errands and a night out. Its simplistic design is crafted from natural cactus and plant-based materials. The gold hardware blends perfectly with the dark green exterior, and it fits your phone, wallet, and more inside.
Verte Mode Sustainability Review: We give Allegorie’s crossbody bag a 4 out of 6. Allegorie makes its high-quality bags out of discarded fruits. The women-owned brand wants to combat fast fashion and food waste at the same time, and we’re into it. They’ve committed to treating workers ethically and received a PETA certification for a cruelty-free product.
Addis Camera Bag
- Here’s a timeless crossbody for our vintage fashion fans. Inspired by classic camera bags of the 70s, this retro piece can fit all your essentials. It’s made from natural leather (derived from plant or animal fibers) and crafted by skilled artisans in Ethiopia.
Verte Mode Sustainability Rating: We give this Raven + Lily camera bag a 4 out of 6. The brand is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, and committed to responsible production. They use regionally-sourced and sustainable materials to craft their designs and donate 1% of sales to community organizations.
Big Camera Bag (Black Croc)
- Want in on the croc-embossed trend? HYER GOODS has designed the bag for you. Made with upcycled leather, this camera bag contains an easy access exterior phone pocket and adjustable strap. Its clean, black design goes perfectly with any outfit.
Verte Mode Sustainability Rating: We give this HYER GOOD’S black camera bag a 4 out of 6. They construct their bags using recycled leather scraps and ship their products using recyclable materials. Plus, they’ve adopted the environmentally friendly vegetable tanning practice to finish off their products and are committed to ethical manufacturing!
Cork Vegan Handbag
- This unique envelope bag is the ideal evening accessory. It’s constructed by Portuguese artisans using the highest quality cork. You can remove the soft blue strap and transform the crossbody bag into a fashionable clutch. Who doesn’t love a multifaceted accessory?
Verte Mode Sustainability Rating- We give the Ecokorek cork bag a 4 out of 6 rating. This small family business manufactures ethically made fashion products using cork, which is recyclable and biodegradable.
Envelope Clutch Sling Bag
g- Looking for a new, affordable sustainable addition to your wardrobe? This staple envelope bag is made from vegan leather and organic cotton lining. It comes with a detachable sling chain and works with any outfit.
Verte Mode Sustainability Rating- We give this Zenkind envelope bag a 4 out of 6 rating. Based in India, they use biodegradable coconut leather to produce their sleek designs.
About Us
- At Verte Mode & Magazine, our mission is to empower customers with the ability to make informed, sustainable choices. We provide a trusted eCommerce platform for purchasing products and services that are not only safe and cruelty-free, but also meet high standards for sustainability.
To ensure that you can shop with confidence, we evaluate brands using six comprehensive metrics, drawing from verified sources and presenting the information in an easy-to-understand rating system, complete with icons indicating a product's sustainability attributes.
Our standards cover everything from sustainable materials and fair labor practices, to safe ingredients and environmentally-friendly packaging. Brands that truly stand out for their sustainable attributes will be honored with additional recognition on our platform. Shop with Verte Mode, and make a positive impact on the world with every purchase.
Imagine the difference we can make if we all shopped & lived a little greener?