‘Vegan leather’ is not as sustainable as it sounds

‘Vegan leather’ is not as sustainable as it sounds

As demand for ‘vegan leather’ grows, questions are emerging about its true environmental impact, with many products combining plant fibres and plastics that degrade quickly. RMIT experts say shoppers seeking sustainable options may instead be buying materials that add to waste and microplastic pollution.

Associate Professor Saniyat Islam, School of Fashion and Textiles 

"The term ‘vegan leather’ sounds environmental, but in practice it often describes a plastic based material with a short lifespan. 

"When durability is sacrificed, sustainability is lost. Products that crack, peel, or shed microplastics create more waste, not less. 

"Many plant based leathers still depend heavily on fossil fuel polymers, making them difficult to recycle and impossible to compost. 

"If we want genuinely sustainable alternatives, we need materials that last, can be repaired, and don’t hide plastic behind green credentials."

Dr Saniyat Islam is an Associate Professor in Fashion Enterprise at the School of Fashion and Textiles. His key research expertise is in Textile Materials and Polymer Science.  

 

Associate Professor Carol Tan, School of Fashion and Textiles 

"Consumers are often led to believe ‘vegan’ automatically means ecofriendly, but the environmental story is far more complex. These materials are often marketed on what they exclude, such as animal leather, rather than how they are actually made or how they perform over time. 

"From an entrepreneurship perspective, 'vegan' is a powerful marketing tool that doesn’t always align with reality. Essentially many of these popular materials such as ‘Apple’ and ‘Cactus’ leather are synthetic materials with a plant-based garnish. 

"Using plant fibres doesn’t guarantee sustainability if those fibres are locked into plastic coatings and composite structures that are impossible to recycle. Greater transparency and clearer labelling are essential if shoppers are to make informed choices rather than rely on green marketing. 

"Our advice to shoppers is to look past the front-of-package claims and check the composition label. If it doesn’t clearly state the percentages of plant-based versus synthetic materials, ask the brand for more information. We have the power to demand better standards, but that starts with being informed."

Dr. Carol Tan is an Associate Professor and Program Manager of the Master of Fashion Entrepreneurship at RMIT University.  

Read more at The Conversation: 'Vegan leather' isn’t as sustainable or ecofriendly as brands might claim.

***

General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

09 April 2026

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09 April 2026

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