Fast fashion is more than just a fleeting trend; it’s an industry built on rapid production cycles and cheap materials, but the true price is far from affordable for our planet. From wasteful practices to ethical compromises, the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion are especially evident in the production of accessories like bags.
Non-sustainable bag production is a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Traditional leather bags, for instance, are notorious for their carbon footprint. Producing 1 kg of leather emits approximately 110 kg of CO2 , contributing heavily to global warming Additionally, the tanning process for animal leather releases hazardous chemicals like chromium into the environment, poisoning water sources and harming biodiversity.
Synthetic alternatives like PVC or PU-based "vegan" leather, often used by fast fashion brands, are no better. These materials are derived from petroleum, and their production and disposal release 500,000 tons of microplastics annually into oceans ( UN Environment Programme ).
The fast fashion industry produces over 20 billion handbags every year , with most discarded after minimal use. This leads to massive waste, as 85% of accessories, including bags, end up in landfills or incinerators ( Ellen MacArthur Foundation ). When discarded, these bags contribute to the growing burden of landfill waste, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil. These toxins seep into groundwater, contaminating essential water sources, and eventually find their way into the food chain. This water pollution has far-reaching consequences, including severe health risks such as skin diseases and other side effects caused by prolonged exposure to contaminated resources.
At Vyakti India, we’re redefining bags for a better future. Our plant-based leather bags —crafted from eco-friendly materials like cacti and banofi —are designed to last without harming the planet. The next time you buy a bag, choose one that’s not just trendy but also consciously crafted—because Vyakti’s bags let you carry style and sustainability hand in hand. Vyakti India’s plant-based leather products prove that style and sustainability can coexist. It’s time to ditch fast fashion and carry the future on your shoulder—literally.
Join Vyakti India in shaping a world where fashion doesn't cost the earth.
https://quantis.com/who-we-guide/our-impact/case-studies/#filter=.fashion/
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/