Your Next Handbag Should Save Water, Not Waste It

Water is one of our planet’s most precious resources—and one we often take for granted. Every time you turn on the faucet or toss a piece of clothing in the wash, it’s easy to forget that clean water isn’t unlimited. Yet, behind many of our everyday products lies a staggering water footprint—especially when it comes to fashion. One of the biggest offenders? Leather.

Today, we’re talking about the environmental cost of “animal” leather, specifically its massive water consumption, and comparing it with the much more sustainable world of vegan leather bags. Vegan leather purses aren’t just cruelty-free—they’re a powerful way to save water and protect resources on our planet.

The Real Cost of Animal Leather: Water Usage in Tanning and Production

Let’s break down the facts. Animal leather is often marketed as a “natural” material, but that image is far from the truth. Leather production is a water-guzzling process with multiple stages that each come with their own environmental toll:

1. Raising Livestock

Producing leather starts with raising animals. And livestock agriculture is notorious for its water use. It takes over 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pound of beef and not all leather is a by product of the meat industry. Man are raised simply for leather and there is a lot of leather that is not from cows. For example, Adidas uses kangaroo skin, other animals are also widely used through the industry. The environmental impact of raising animals for human use extends to the all of the hides used for leather.

2. Processing the Hides

Turning raw hides into wearable leather isn’t simple—or clean. It involves several water-intensive stages like soaking, liming, dehairing, pickling, and tanning. Just processing one hide can use hundreds of gallons of water, not to mention the energy involved.

3. Tanning and Chemical Waste

Tanning methods use chromium and other toxic chemicals to treat the leather. Not only does this process demand water, but it also produces heavily polluted wastewater that’s released into rivers and groundwater—especially in countries where environmental regulations are lax. This polluted runoff harms aquatic life, contaminates drinking water, and poses risks to human health.

In total, it takes up to 17,000 liters (4,500 gallons) of water are used to produce just one pair of leather shoes. Now imagine that number multiplied across belts, jackets, car seats—and, of course, handbags.

The Vegan Leather Handbag Advantage: A Water-Smart Alternative

Let’s pivot to the good news: sustainable vegan leather bags offer a radically more sustainable alternative when it comes to water use. Here’s how:

1. No Animals, No Farm Water

Since vegan leather bags aren’t made from animal hides, there’s zero water used in raising and feeding livestock. That’s a huge win right out of the gate.

2. Innovative, Low-Water Materials

Modern vegan handbags come in a wide range of materials—from upcycled rubber to cork leather and plant-based alternatives like Appleskin (made from leftover apple waste from the food industry). These materials minimize environmental impact, and most use significantly less water than animal leather from start to finish.

For example: Cork leather comes from cork oak trees, which require little to no irrigation and are harvested without harming the tree.

Pineapple leather bags are made from the waste of the pineapple industry, no additional water is needed. Appleskin is crafted using the food waste from apple juice production—so no additional farming or water is required. 

Upcycled vegan bags made from inner tubes or seatbelts repurpose materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, with virtually no water involved in sourcing.

3. Cleaner Production Processes

Sustainable vegan leather handbags and purses are made using water-based or solvent-free adhesives and dyes. That means the production process is not only more water-efficient but also doesn’t contribute to water pollution the way chrome tanning does.

 

Water Facts That Might Surprise You

Still not convinced? Here are a few eye-opening stats to consider when comparing vegan leather bags to their animal-derived counterparts:

A standard leather handbag could use up to 20,000 liters (5,283 gallons) of water. A vegan crossbody bag made from upcycled materials will typically use less than 10% of that.

Chrome-tanned leather is responsible for 20% of the world’s industrial water pollution, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Leather tanneries, typically located in countries like Bangladesh and India, discharge untreated wastewater from tanning into rivers, destroying ecosystems and contaminating water for their communities. According to NIH and Time Magazine reports, workers in the tanneries are given no protection and suffer from serious health problems from working with the chemicals. Many of the known designer brands leather originates from these tanneries, contributing to the continous cycle of exploitation.

Switching to non leather handbags isn't just about what you wear—it’s about the water you save.

The Intersection of Fashion and Responsibility

Choosing a vegan leather bag might seem like a small act, but it’s one of many ripples in a much larger sustainability wave. With the fashion industry consuming an estimated 79 billion cubic meters of water each year, consumer choices matter more than ever.

At Green Vegan Bags, we believe fashion should never come at the cost of the planet—or its animals. That’s why our entire collection of vegan purses,  wallets, and belts is built on the principles of sustainability, innovation, and compassion.

We carefully select materials that are eco-conscious, including:

Appleskin, which uses leftover apple waste to create stylish and soft vegan leather.

Cork leather, which is sourced from sustainably harvested trees.

Upcycled inner tubes, which transform industrial waste into sleek, edgy bags that are water-resistant and durable.

The vegan bags here are small batch, if not handmade, use non-toxic dyes and recycled materials and systems that minimize waste and pollution.

Want to Save Water? Rethink Your Bag

Water conservation isn’t just about shorter showers or turning off the tap while you brush your teeth—though those help, too but they are like bandaids on an huge open wound. It’s about re-evaluating the impact of the things we buy, wear, and eat every day.

So if you’re looking for ways to reduce your water footprint, start with your closet. Instead of that next animal leather tote, consider:

A vegan tote bag that turns discarded apple peels into elegance.

A vegan crossbody purse that saves thousands of liters of water while making a statement.

A non leather wallet that proves sustainability can be both functional and fashionable.

Every time you choose vegan leather handbags over conventional leather, you’re saving gallons of water, avoiding toxic runoff, and standing up for a more sustainable future.

Final Thoughts: Why the Future Is Vegan (and Water-Smart)

In the debate of vegan leather vs. animal leather, the water usage alone makes the choice crystal clear. Real leather may come with a high price tag, but its environmental cost is even steeper. From livestock farming to toxic tanning, leather is the most water-intensive materials in the fashion industry.

Vegan handbags and purses, on the other hand, offer a far more water-conscious solution. With innovations in plant-based and upcycled materials, it’s now easier than ever to find non leather handbags that align with both your values and your style.

The next time someone tells you “real” leather is better, ask them how many gallons of water they think their purse cost the planet. Then show them yours.

 

Ready to make a splash without draining our resources?

Check out Green Vegan Bags’ collection of vegan leather bags that help you conserve water, protect animals, and look effortlessly stylish doing it.

Because conservation should never go out of style.