All other raw materials are sourced locally from within the UK from independent suppliers. So if you opt for a vegan leather option, make sure it’s PVC-free and look for either: Now, what does sustainable leather look like? Joining the Lowest Wage Challenge and published their lowest wage employee, who earned $276 a month (a 47% increase in the average earnings for residents of Trujillo and still above Nisolo’s calculations for the area’s living wage). All their bags are made entirely of things like discarded fire hoses, auction banners, military parachute silk (for the linings), air traffic control flight strips, and used up printing blankets. Turtle Bags*: Colourful net shopping totes and produce pouches. GUNAS is a female-owned ethical vegan handbag brand started by Sugandh G. Agrawal under the core belief that “[a]nimals are NOT meant to be a part of fashion. Traditionally passed down from mother to daughter, though slowly fading away, Darzah hopes to celebrate and keep this artistic tradition alive. So there you have it: a whole bag-load of eco friendly purses and handbags from brands that are giving you the tools (or rather a means to hold them) to live more sustainably. We don’t accept any sort of discrimination in the workplace and we do not believe in treating anyone unfairly.“. I’m still in awe of innovations of these, and think they’re far better than basic PU, but would love to see materials that are wholly petroleum-free in future. Remember, two of Cuyana’s main values are to maximize life and extend wear. Our world is changing constantly. Remie Studio: One-off vintage-style bags constructed from salvaged fabrics. However, it can be used more sustainably by using either upcycled leather that would otherwise be wasted or vegetable tanned leather, in order of preference. We use circular approaches for items, instead of creating waste, we reuse it and push the boundaries of sustainable practices. As part of their Lean Closet movement, Cuyana has recently partnered with thredUP (one of the best online thrift stores) to encourage people to get rid of clothes they don’t wear. They also provide in-house yoga and fitness classes, and training on topics like finances, health, nutrition, and English. Marand has partnered with EcoEnclose for all their recycled shipping materials. Even though fish skins are able to be made into leather (more easily than furred animals), only 1% are recycled. Their bags also feature a lining made of recycled plastic bottles (rPET) and recycled metal hardware with 18K Gold plating. When launched in 2009, GUNAS was originally an all MADE IN NYC label, but they’ve since searched for ethical manufacturers in countries like India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, and China. The entire business is based in Georgia, which gives the founders greater control over materials, suppliers and the entire production process. The brand works with skilled local craftspeople and artisans in Barcelona, with "the individual hand of an artisan" being the starting point for each design. Our belt bags, designed to fit just the essentials, are a reminder of the ease of living a life of simplicity–a life filled with more experience, happiness, wholeness and joy in exchange for less stuff.”. Even though they’ve expanded to many other reclamation projects, this Fire and Hide Collection is still one of their most unique and bag-nificicent.