Ethical Sustainable Clothing

5 Best Brands for Sustainable Handbags

Are you looking for the perfect sustainable handbags that align with your values?

Luckily, the fashion industry is increasingly embracing sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices, making it easier than ever to find stylish accessories that don’t harm the planet. 

From vegan leather to fair trade practices, these brands prioritize minimizing waste and avoiding harsh chemicals. 

Whether you need a chic tote for work or a versatile handbag for everyday use, you’ll find options that look good and do good!

Here’s our list of brands offering sustainable handbags that don’t deplete our planet’s resources or unnecessarily overproduce.

best brands for sustainable handbags

What Makes a Handbag Sustainable?

It’s easy to walk into a store and choose a handbag you like. But what about choosing sustainable handbags? 

What are we looking for here?

Well, to sum it up, you should be looking at its material and longevity. How so? Here are the qualities you need in a bag for it to be sustainable:

Eco-friendly Materials

There is a long list, but here are the most common eco-friendly materials your handbag should be made of:

  • Recycled Plastics: Bags made from recycled PET bottles or other post-consumer plastics help reduce plastic waste and reliance on virgin materials.
  • Recycled Textiles: Using recycled fabrics like polyester or nylon reduces the demand for new materials and lowers energy consumption and pollution associated with production.
  • Organic Cotton: Cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, organic cotton reduces environmental impact and promotes soil health.
  • Hemp: Requires minimal water and pesticides to grow and is biodegradable.
  • Jute: A sustainable and biodegradable fiber commonly used for eco-friendly bags.
  • Piñatex: Made from pineapple leaf fibers, Piñatex is a cruelty-free alternative to leather, using waste from the pineapple industry.
  • Mushroom Leather: Also known as mycelium leather, this innovative material is biodegradable and produced from mushroom roots.
  • Cork: Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, cork is renewable and biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly option for bag production.

Durability and Longevity

Handbags displayed in a boutique store

Here’s how to know your new handbag is durable enough to stay in your wardrobe rather than end up in a landfill:

  • Strong Stitching: Well-constructed bags with reinforced stitching and durable hardware can withstand daily wear and tear, extending their lifespan.
  • Sturdy Materials: Using sturdy materials like canvas or heavyweight fabrics ensures your bag can withstand heavy loads and rough handling.
  • Replaceable Parts: Bags designed with replaceable straps, zippers, or buckles make repairs easier and prolong the bag’s usefulness.
  • Patch Kits: Providing patch kits or repair services encourages customers to mend minor damages instead of discarding the bag.

The 5 Best Brands for Sustainable Handbags

Tote bags, belt bags, cross-body bags, etc.—these are all everyday types of handbags. We girls need a handbag for every occasion.

With the variety of types available, you need to explore plenty of brands to create a versatile wardrobe.

Get ready for an eco-friendly shopping spree with this curated list of brands carrying sustainable handbags:

Sézane

Woman carrying a straw bag
Source: @sezane on Instagram

If you’re looking for sustainable handbags with Parisian charm, look no further than Sézane. 

Renowned for their stylish bucket bags and chic raffia creations, Sézane creates timeless designs using eco-friendly practices. Its prices range from $160 to $475, making it in the midrange between affordable and luxury brands.

Sézane is a certified B Corp, which means it meets high standards of social and environmental performance. The manufacturers use sustainable materials like cotton, raffia, and chrome-free leather. Plus, their eco-friendly packaging ensures that your purchase leaves a minimal environmental footprint.

One of the bonus features of Sézane handbags is the personalization option. Whether you want to stamp, engrave, flock, or embroider a message or initials, the choice is yours. It’s a beautiful way to make your bag uniquely yours or to gift something special.

On top of that, Sézane is dedicated to giving back. They constantly donate to educational charities and support children in need, making your purchase even more meaningful.

The sustainable brand also offers repair and maintenance services for some products, ensuring your bag lasts a lifetime. From free zipper repairs on leather goods to reassembling shoes with new soles, you can ensure your product will last a lifetime.

Here’s more good news: for U.S. customers, free delivery is available on orders over $200.

Chylak

A model posing with a small black chylak handbag
Source: chylak.bags on Instagram

Chylak, a Polish brand, is your go-to for sustainable handbags that are as durable as they are stylish. With a price range of $360 to $536, the brand is on the expensive side of the market, but the bags’ quality is worth it.

All raw materials used by Chylak are sourced from the EU and are biodegradable, recycled, or sustainably produced. 

Since 2024, 75% of the leather they use is metal and chrome-free or vegetable-tanned, ensuring a lower environmental impact. The production process is also limited to Italy and Poland, reducing their carbon footprint significantly.

Chylak’s leather is tanned using plant-based techniques and is 90% degradable. They also recycle wastewater from leather processing for agricultural use, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability at every step. 

Smaller accessories like wallets and cardholders are made from leftover leather, so nothing goes to waste.

The linings of Chylak handbags are made from LENZING™ EcoVero™, a sustainable viscose derived from wood pulp, which uses 40 times less water than cotton. 

Packaging is equally eco-friendly. 100% recycled boxes are made from biodegradable cardboard and water-based logo paint. Most of their packaging, including shopping bags, wrapping paper, and stickers, is made from recycled paper.

Though the brand’s collection of handbags is limited, it’s pretty versatile to satisfy different tastes.

Cuyana

Two different sized Cuyana handbags on a ledge by the sea
Source: cuyana on Instagram

Embodying the motto “fewer, better,” Cuyana offers sustainable handbags that strike the balance between timeless elegance and sustainable practices. 

Founded by two visionary women, Karla and Shilpa, Cuyana stands out not only for its classic designs but also for its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. 

With prices ranging from $128 to $548, these bags are an investment in quality and ethics.

Since 2023, every Cuyana product has been crafted from sustainable materials. The brand uses recycled plastic, 100% certified sustainable cotton, regenerative linen, and an organic cotton blend. 

Additionally, all of their leather comes from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, ensuring top-notch environmental standards.

One of the best things about Cuyana is its ethical manufacturing concept. The brand makes products in small batches to avoid overproduction, and its efficient sales strategy results in 90% of its products being sold—a significant achievement compared to the industry average of 70%.

Beyond the environmental efforts, Cuyana is committed to making a positive social impact in other aspects. They partner with H.E.A.R.T., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping female victims of abuse. 

So, by buying a bag from this sophisticated brand, you’re not only promoting ethical practices, but you’re also contributing in a way to helping victims of abuse.

Quince

A woman in a white dress holding a small black bag
Source: onequince on Instagram

Quince is redefining affordable luxury with a focus on sustainability and minimalism. Offering handbags priced between $40 and $130, Quince proves you don’t have to break the bank to make eco-friendly choices.

The brand is committed to using recycled materials and offers an entire collection made from organic linen. 

Their approach to packaging is equally conscientious. They feature minimalistic designs that aim to reduce waste and keep timeless, classic pieces out of landfills. 

By shipping directly from the factory to your doorstep, Quince minimizes its carbon footprint, ensuring a more sustainable delivery process.

Quince’s packaging is also designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. They use 100% compostable poly bags and recycled plastic mailers, significantly reducing waste. Additionally, their packaging strategy uses less material, reducing their environmental impact.

The brand holds several impressive certifications, including BSCI, OEKO, GOTS, and TEX, which highlights their commitment to high standards in environmental and social responsibility.

Baggu

3 striped bag on the ground
Source: baggu on Instagram

Baggu has been revolutionizing the way we think about reusable bags since 2007!

With a price range of $14 to $78, Baggu offers a wallet-friendly option for those seeking stylish and sustainable handbags.

Baggu’s reusable bags are ingeniously cut from a continuous piece of nylon to minimize waste, with any remnants repurposed into pouches or other small accessories. 

This zero-waste approach ensures that every piece of material is used effectively. Plus, if your Baggu bag has reached the end of its life, you can send it back to be recycled. Lost your storage pouch? Baggu has you covered—they’ll send you a replacement free of charge.

Starting in 2022, Baggu has upped its sustainability game by making all ripstop nylon styles from 100% recycled materials. 

Their canvas bags are crafted from 65% recycled cotton, while mesh styles and the polyfill in their Puffy styles use 100% post-consumer recycled PET. 

Since late 2022, Baggu has also committed to using FSC-certified 100% recycled paper stock for all their packaging and 100% cotton for hang-tag strings.

Final Thoughts

Choosing ethical handbags means investing in more than a stylish accessory—it’s a step towards a better world. 

These brands prioritize sustainability, offering beautiful designs from eco-friendly materials and vegan leather alternatives. 

Don’t stop here! Discover more fashionable and eco-conscious choices with our top picks of ethical shoe brands and sustainable womenswear.

Get ready to upgrade your accessory game with sustainable handbags that combine luxury, style, and a commitment to a better world. It’s a win-win!

Savannah Bailey
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