It’s Plastic-Free July!
To those who still insist vegan leather is just plastic – allow us to introduce brands crafting bags from genuinely plastic-free alternatives. Most use materials such as MIRUM® or cork leather, though we’ve also found accessories made from kraft paper, Manila fibre, Bamboozle, and certified cotton.
MIRUM® is made entirely from natural, plant-based ingredients such as rubber, plant oils, waxes, and agricultural waste fibres. Cork, meanwhile, is harvested from the bark of oak trees every 9–10 years – a process that supports the tree’s health and enhances its ability to absorb CO₂. However, cork leather may be backed or coated with plastic, so it’s always worth checking whether a brand explicitly confirms its products are fully plastic-free.
Beyond the environmental and health benefits – such as avoiding microplastic pollution in oceans and freshwater – plastic-free materials typically require less energy and produce less waste during manufacture. This translates into a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to both conventional leather and synthetic alternatives. Both MIRUM® and cork leather are biodegradable under the right conditions and offer more sustainable end-of-life options. None of the materials mentioned require tanning – a water- and chemical-intensive process.
An estimated 12 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year1, with over 171 trillion pieces currently floating at sea – up from just 16 trillion in 20052. To mark this important initiative and help raise awareness of the global plastic crisis, we’ve curated a selection of brands producing vegan, plastic-free bags.
You’re all welcome.
Melina Bucher (Germany)
Founded by Melina Bucher, who chose to merge her business background with ethical values – and a lifelong love of animals – the brand creates luxury vegan handbags that combine innovative, sustainable materials (plastic-free, in this case) with traditional craftsmanship. In 2023, Melina Bucher opened Germany’s first fully vegan master bag manufactory – a crucial step towards preserving the country’s artisan heritage.
Materials used: MIRUM®
VFR’s pick: Another Bailey bag
Regular price: €670,00
Paper and Sons (Germany)
A brand born from the search for an alternative to both leather and synthetic fibres found its answer in kraft paper. As a natural and renewable material, kraft paper offers a more sustainable route to a plastic-free future. Manufactured in Germany from FSC-certified long-fibre softwoods (spruce and pine), it is finished for exceptional durability, tear-resistance, and water-repellence – ideal for long walks in the rain. It can even be hand-washed at 30°C. With use, it softens and develops a distinctive, leather-like patina.
Materials used: Kraft Paper, linen fiber
VFR’s pick: Shopper bag, Maple
Regular price: €42,90
Rok Cork (Canada)
This brand creates bags and shoes using Portuguese cork, harvested at the optimal age of 45 years for maximum durability, without any PVC or PU-based materials. Handcrafted in small batches by skilled artisans, Rok Cork promotes sustainable craftsmanship. The brand also partners with the Toronto Wildlife Centre to support peaceful human-wildlife coexistence by providing education, expert advice, and medical care for injured and orphaned animals, with the aim of returning them to the wild.
Materials used: cork leather
VFR’s pick: Flora Small Shoulder Cork Bag
Regular price: $243,00 CAD
Whistler Tree (UK)
Founded by Malcolm Dyl and named after the world’s largest and most productive cork oak tree – The Whistler Tree – the brand designs timeless pieces that transcend seasonal trends. Other materials include organic cotton for linings and all-natural vegetable dyes.
Materials used: cork leather
VFR’s pick: Amadora tote – rapsberry
Regular price: £100,00
Lost Woods (Australia)
Founded by Holly Edwards, Lost Woods is a luxury Australian handbag label handmade in Portugal from MIRUM® – one of the world’s first 100% plastic-free vegan leathers. After years of sourcing and global prototyping, the brand partnered with a small, female-led workshop of 20 artisans near Porto, Portugal.
Materials used: MIRUM®
VFR’s pick: Aspen Wide Strap crossbody bag
Regular price: $549.00 AUD
CorkLane (Portugal)
All CorkLane items are produced in Portugal, allowing for full control over quality and design while supporting the local economy. Both CorkLane and its suppliers operate under European Union labour laws. A skilled team constructs handbags, wallets, and accessories by carefully stitching each piece by hand. The result: refined handbags with luxurious texture and designer-level craftsmanship.
Materials used: cork leather
VFR’s pick: Jackie tote bag
Regular price: €149,00
Eoto (Germany)
Founded in 2021, Eoto maintains a fully transparent supply chain and a strict no-plastic policy. Instead of plastic – virgin or recycled – it uses highly durable fabrics made from banana fibre, bamboo, and upcycled cotton. Eoto also runs a free membership programme offering complimentary repairs, a 20% voucher for returning old items, and an extended warranty and return policy.
Materials used: Manila Fiber, Bamboozle, BCI-cotton, BCI Rip-Stop cotton, upcycled cotton
VFR’s pick: Air Mist:ify backpack
Regular price: €99,00
LOUÉ Studio (UK)
Founded by Elena Oana Lisman in pursuit of the perfect black bag – one free from both animal cruelty and plastic – the brand embodies her values of ethics, transparency, traceability, and quiet luxury. Each bag is made from MIRUM® and meticulously handcrafted from start to finish in Ubrique, Spain, by two skilled artisans, Víctor and Ana.
Materials used: MIRUM®
VFR’s pick: Mano Pochette Black
Regular price: €586,95
Explore more vegan and sustainable bags in our Directory.
- https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/ ↩︎
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0281596 ↩︎
