The problem of finding eco-friendly handbags

Anonymous

This may be food for thought. H&M is mentioned for their non-leather purses and lead content. The article does not favor leather either. I have long suspected the plastics in our environment for the cause of so many of our health problems.
http://www.care2.com/greenlivi.....s-pvc.html
There are three pages, so click for the next. Because of all the other stuff, the article itself is not long. You might also be interested in the link to natural leather cleaning.

16 years ago

General

4 replies

Latest reply was from RoseandJoan

Maya

Veteran

I think the title of this thread should be changed, as they are critical of leather as well, so it's not just PVC wearers!

I think one has to choose their battles as far as these things go. There are benefits and drawbacks to everything. Most people who avoid leather do so due to animal welfare concerns. Eco-friendly issues and potential hazards take a back seat. It's obvious from this article that leather isn't any better in terms of being environmentally friendly or healthy, which is something I have known for a long time. It's a question of choosing the lesser of the two evils. I'd rather choose the option that doesn't kill.

That said, someone is going to have to come up with a practical alternative, otherwise no one is going to catch on. Something inexpensive, durable, weatherproof, breathable, animal firendly, and eco-friendly..it's a tall order and there are no perfect solutions that I know of. If they are, they aren't being produced in significant enough amounts or being marketed effectively.

(I once posted about Novacas, a vegan shoe company that makes pretty and affordable vegan shoes that supposedly breathe and stretch like leather. I really want to give them a try.)

16 years ago

Anonymous

You are right that the title isn't really expressing the thoughts of the article. If I can edit it, what would you suggest?
On the third page safer alternatives and even brands are named. What stood out to me was to look for polyurethane and avoid the toxic PVC items (and leather). Quote: "If you decide to detox your closet, some earth-friendlier options are available. Leather look-alike items made with polyurethane (PU) are considered safe. Some other eco-friendly materials are organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. Anything recycled is also a good idea."

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I would just change it to something like choosing eco-friendly materials or something along those lines?

I read the last page but I don't know how practical it is. It's so hard finding a good and practical non-leather bag to begin with. Matt & Nat is expensive...overpriced if you ask me. I have several canvas bags from Fred Flare which are dirty, tattered, and not waterproof. They are also very casual. And where do you get bamboo bags?

Straw bags have appealed to me a lot lately and Kate Spade makes some beautiful ones (that I can't afford). They didn't mention them in the article though. I wonder why not.

I'm thinking of letting myself wear used leather from consignment, vintage, and thrift stores. It would be an eco friendly move and wouldn't support waste or an industry that I am against. I guess after all the years of avoiding it I feel funny about starting up again.

There are other issues too...like who does the labor, how much they are paid, etc. What people find the most important is subjective. What I object to is not caring about anything at all.

Perhaps just buying used is the best way since it seems to avoid all these issues in one sweep.

16 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I read the article with interest Joy, but I'm afraid I'm starting to feel a little jaded by all of the issues we are supposed to contemplate whilst shopping (slave labour, general working conditions, the environmental impact of producing an item, toxic chemicals, synthetic versus natural, animal rights).

All are important issues.

Am I concerned about toxins in pvc and leather? Of Course. Will it effect my purchases? Probably not.

I'm with Maya, you have to filter the information for your own sanity.

16 years ago

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