DontFundHate, I often see the criticism that vegan leather is made from plastics and/or is damaging to the environment.
I completely take your point regarding the likes of vegan options at places like New Look or other high street stores, which provide ‘accidentally vegan’ products, and I agree with you that these options could have a negative environmental impact.
But I think it’s important to say that fully vegan companies are almost always very aware of the environmental impact of their products.
For example, the company I recommended Will’s, produce shoes in the EU. They ensure all workers are treated fairly. They create vegan leather from plants. They use recycled rubber. They ship all orders through a carbon-neutral supply chain. The whole process of production is certified carbon-neutral.
Beyond Skin also has a strict environmental policy and produces shoes in the EU.
Companies like Matt and Nat focus on using recycled materials including plastics.
Other companies use products such as Pinatex (made from what would otherwise be waste pineapple plant material) or sustainable cork.
I totally agree with you that second hand is a good option (not just for shoes but clothes in general) and I do think that disposable fashion is a big problem.
I also think it’s worth pointing out that leather not only supports uneccessary cruelty to animals, but can be terrible for the environment and for people. Toxic chemicals are often used in the production process which can be damaging for the people involved and those chemicals are considered to be one of the biggest worldwide pollutants. The use of animals for food and/or for their skins also has a significant impact on the environment because of the carbon emissions and use of land involved.