At Labienhecha we have always wondered: is vegan automatically sustainable? The short answer is no, and it's a myth we want to debunk.
Believing that vegan is automatically sustainable: what we're doing wrong
Many people seek vegan alternatives thinking they're making the right choices for both the planet and the animals (and that's great). However, vegan doesn't always mean sustainability. This is a common misconception that we need to address.
Vegan: the big trick
Being vegan just means that the material doesn't come from animal sources. In fashion, this means avoiding things like leather, wool or silk. From an ethical perspective regarding animals, it sounds ideal. But here's the catch: just because something is vegan doesn't automatically make it environmentally friendly.
Have you ever had a bag literally disintegrate in your closet? That's the plastic.
But... so vegan leather isn't a good choice?
Here we have it clear ... and is that although it seems a more ethical option, most of these vegan leather alternatives have data sheets in which reign plastics, which are neither recycled nor recyclable or biodegradable. And that's a bit of a problem....
In the end, we are opting for something that increases pollution from petroleum derivatives and that, in the long run, can end up in landfills or in our oceans, causing irreparable damage.
If it is not natural or biodegradable and if it is not recycled or recyclable, its sustainability is doubtful. Neither if it is not durable at all and ends up disintegrating... that's why we have to pull the thread.
The value of recycled (like our leather)
We are very fond of recycled things... That's why we have opted for recycled leather as an alternative that really makes a difference. And not only because it is a quality material, but because we are reusing resources that already exist, thus avoiding the need to produce new materials from scratch and taking advantage of all those leftovers and surplus animal skins that are regenerated into a new material.
The idea of giving a second life (and opportunity) to something already seems to us, in itself, a quite sustainable action. In addition, its manufacturing process - which is also local - minimizes the environmental impact compared to the production of synthetic materials that, although vegan, are highly polluting.
Okay, but... What if I am looking for a 100% vegan option?
Difficult! But a vegan solution could be to look for, in addition to natural and biodegradable materials, recycled options, but with sense. Why? Well, more of the same: if it already exists, let's give it a lot of life. So, among all the options - and if they have plastic - let's opt for recycled ones. That's why we have chosen our Recycled and Certified Nylon and Suede.
We say it makes sense because we are not in favor of using this type of recycled in clothes that are going to be washed frequently since the "daily" washing makes them decompose into microplastics that go straight from our washing machines to our seas and oceans. But since it's a bag, which we don't wash every day, we think it's a good option to give life to these materials.
And now comes another big melon: animal skin yes or no?
Ugh... we've been having this dilemma for years. The idea of using natural resources always seems to us to be the best option. And, let's face it: there is nothing more durable in terms of handbags (also in footwear and others) than vegetable tanned leather (yes, the one that is 100% biodegradable and free of toxics). That's the big plus point: its durability and wearability. And, the truth is that as long as there is a meat food, this resource (the skin) must be used.
The melon here is the industry and its practices with animals. On the one hand, intensive livestock farming (the bad kind), which opts for productivity and economic performance and implies a greater environmental impact. On the other hand, extensive livestock farming, which takes advantage of natural resources and allows a more sustainable management, as well as regenerative (happy cows, so that we understand each other).
Another little problem: that we are being lied to.
The biggest problem? If all this is already complex, it gets even more complicated when greenwashing comes into play. Many brands know that "vegan" and "sustainable" sell, and they use it as a marketing strategy, making consumers think they are buying something super ethical when, in fact, it is not so(this also happens when they sell us a Made in Spain product that is not... ahem, ahem...).
The term "vegan" has become a magic word that can lead us to make the wrong decisions. And the label "sustainable" is the great prostitute to attract consumers... but sustainability is not only about choosing the best materials but also about reducing the overall impact (and for this we have to take into account more things).
Okay, but then, are we doing it wrong?
The fact that vegan is not always sustainable does not mean that we should stop opting for vegan products. The important thing here is to be aware and make decisions based on reflection and knowledge.
We, for example, seek our own balance between ethics, sustainability and quality. Because being sustainable is not a destination, but a constant learning process.
We are not here to judge; in the end, everyone must do what he or she considers right so that what he or she thinks, what he or she says and what he or she does are aligned. What we do think is very important is that we must inform ourselves before taking any label as valid... especially when we get it from all sides.
Conclusion: what we can do to "buy right".
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Do your research: It is not enough that a product is labeled sustainable, vegan or whatever.... Investigate what it is made of, who produces it and how, what impact it has? Remember that sustainability has more than one sphere and that it is not only the material that is important, but also the steps it takes from the moment it is manufactured until it reaches you. The more local, the better! If it also complies with the what, the how, the where and, if on top of that, it has a why behind it (because it adds value), you have the super OK!
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Choose what aligns with your way of thinking: Maybe not everything is always perfect, but you're sure to find brands that use sustainable materials, produce locally and have a positive impact. And, we always say the same thing, but in the end the best thing to do is to buy less but better... and give lots and lots and lots of life to what we have!
And now, we want to know your opinion
We continue researching and reflecting... and you are also part of this, so, help us to decide which materials yes and which materials no, do you think we should incorporate more vegan options, what do you think about vegetable tanned leather... We read you!
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