Backpacks over time have now evolved as more than a medium to carry items. They are now a way of expression and a part of a person’s personality. Nowadays, the market has different designs, finishes, looks, and styles of backpacks. Each has its distinct philosophy and meaning. In this ever-changing world, humans have now started looking for greener alternatives to the traditional forms of everyday items, making vegan backpacks all the more critical.
Since the introduction of veganism in 1944 by Donald Watson, Its roots go back to ancient Indian and Asian culture. Vegan backpacks inspire the vegan way of life adopted by many environment-conscious people wanting to stop animal cruelty and reduce pollution. Vegan backpacks are put together from sustainable materials and avoid traditional leather involving animal glues, animal bones or fur.
Before adding them to your collection, let’s have a look at the less-known things about Vegan backpacks.
Vegan backpacks are Eco- friendly
Vegan materials are made of natural sources such as fruits waste, cork, apple peels, pineapple leaves, and other recycled plastics. Most vegan backpack is recyclable where it does not sit in the landfill after being discarded. It’s a well-known fact that leather processing involves the release of toxic emissions caused due to the harmful chemicals that are used in the manufacturing, detrimental to the environment and the workers involved in making these products.
Vegan backpacks are trendy and stylish
Nowadays in many Fashion weeks & events, many brands have displayed Vegan backpack designs that are much appreciated by renowned designers and celebrities. These bags are available for day-to-day life’s necessities like corporate use, traveling, educational institutes etc. Chic, sophisticated designs, textures, and patterns make them the perfect medium for making a fashion statement. Many color variants are also available and now possible, unlike animal-based leather. Like Leather products, Vegan backpacks are put together from vegan leather, and vegan leather is made from plastics or plant-based products to mimic leather. These backpacks are durable, sustainable, and convenient to use. Many celebrities are endorsing these in recent times to stop animal cruelty and promote responsible fashion.
Vegan backpacks are cruelty-free
As per data, 2 million dogs’ and cats’ are skinned alive for leather bags and other things. Even cow’s in 65% of the total manufacturing of leather products. Animals are kept in a hostile environment, with so much suffering that we humans can enjoy the softness or warmth of a coat or the luxury of a bag or smart-looking boots. People of this generation are aware of consumption and consequences, leading to an interest in knowing how these products are made. With knowledge of the truth and reality of traditional leather product’s many are opting for this harmonious and cruelty free approach to modern fashion.
Vegan backpacks are durable
Although you cannot expect to pass on the ‘vegan bags’ to your grandkids, it is still a durable and robust alternative for leather. It is put together from polyurethane or recycled plastics, which can withstand the daily brunt of basic needs of carrying a bag along with all your necessities. As this material stands to contest with traditional leather it is more than capable to hold its own all the while being the perfect fashion statement, helping the person standout in the crowd. Thus, vegan leather is blossoming into the truly perfect material which is capable of looking good while staying true to its purpose.
Vegan is guilt-free
The most crucial aspect of vegan products is that they are eco-friendly and good for the environment. Also no one has to die to make you a bag and make you feel guilt-free. When we buy leather, it is a by-product of lots of suffering and pain, and this thought will always remain at the back of our minds. Buying vegan-based products in addition to helping our four-legged friends is also a cruelty-free fashion option. The tanning process in the leather industries causes a lot of diseases who are working day in day out. And natural manufacturing and production also lead to lesser carbon emissions leading to a healthier world for all its inhabitants.
The leather industry is the main culprit in the deforestation of South Africa, climate change and loss of biodiversity, loss of greenhouse gases in a lot of countries. There are some ugly sides of leather production, which are harmful to the environment and people around in many ways.
Many designers have different types of Vegan leathers available in the market
- Polyutherane made from plastic chemicals, and petroleum compounds is an eco-friendly option besides animal-based leathers. Pinatex is also growing its names in the fashion market, a by-product of pineapple leaves, mostly wasted and famous for flexibility and strength.
- Apple juice industry waste from the apple peels or scraps is Frutmat. Natural without any plastics-based materials is Mirum, made from hemp, cork, wasted coconut oil, and vegetable oil. The products created have a leather-like feel to them.
- The attractive leather substitute made from Cork oak trees mostly comes from Portugal in the Mediterranean regions. One of the best options in vegan leather, like harvesting and making sheets, is harmless.
- Rubber is also used to replace leather. Instead of sending the used tires to the landfill, backpacks and other items can be put together.
- A symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast SCOBY is put together from dried bacteria blocks. It is used to make different uses of clothes and other products.
- Muskin, also known as Mushroom leather, is made from Mycelium, the under root structure of mushrooms. They are one the best kings of vegan leather, and it’s more durable, flexible, and robust.
- An Italian company discovered a leather produced from wine processing called Pomage.
- Many other vegan leather options such as grape leather, cactus leather, grain-based leather, coconut shell & leftover-based leather or created recycled plastics bottles and Tomtex made from the coffee ground & seafood shells.
There are certain styles of Vegan leather backpacks that have entered the market because this has become more than a fashion accessory. This leather gives a designer the freedom to express complete leather materials with a wide range and details with color.
- Naturally colored where the tanning of the material comes from vegetables and fruits.
- Convertible tote backpacks for trekking and shoulder bags are stylish and textured from unique leather materials.
- Colorful minimalistic backpacks made from cardboard, rubber, and recycled tires.
- Backpacks with designs from the traditional craft called Ajrak
Like every coin has both sides, the story of vegan leather is not all merry. There are some concerns when it is compared to animal-based leather. Because of certain limitations like chemical emissions, storage issues, smells from these products, and expensive production costs.
With both its good and wrong sides taken into consideration, Vegan leather backpacks have gained popularity recently. It is a personal choice of any individual to be responsible and navigate on the side which will be the sustainable fashion of vegan leather backpacks. In terms of technique, the fashion category has advanced leaps and bounds. Only time will decide if it will replace the traditional animal-based leather market or not. Be a part of the revolution, one accessory at a time.
