Is it leather? Writes on LinkedIn: No really — well done. That “vegan leather” bag you proudly picked up? It’s made of plastic. Not the cute kind. The petroleum-derived, chemically processed, landfill-clogging kind. But hey, it 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 and 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 sustainable, right?

Let’s call it what it is: a knockoff. A synthetic imitator of one of the world’s most remarkable natural materials — real leather. But this version comes with extra perks: environmental devastation from oil extraction, toxic chemical processing, microplastic shedding, and a nice long stay in a landfill for the next, oh, few centuries.

All wrapped up in a label that said “eco-friendly,” and “cruelty-free.” How sweet.

We’re swimming in products designed to fail — fast, cheap, and soulless. That $89 “leather-look” jacket? Built to peel, crack, and fall apart just in time for next season’s offering. And guess what? That’s the point. Planned obsolescence and marketing platitudes keep you buying – and keeps landfills growing and keeps petrochemical companies smiling.

It’s fashion, they say. It’s cruelty-free, they say. Have you ever seen fish, birds and seals die a toxic, painful death due to oil spills? It’s certainly not a cruelty-free experience for them.

Meanwhile back in reality, real leather continues to quietly outperform every imitator. It wears in, not out. It repairs. It ages with character. It’s the opposite of disposable. It’s a material that asks us to slow down, buy less, and value more.

But that’s not trending on TikTok – although it should be!

We don’t talk enough about emotional durability — the connection you build with something that’s been with you for years. A leather wallet that softens in your pocket over time. A jacket that tells your story. That kind of longevity isn’t just rare — it’s revolutionary.

So next time you see “vegan leather,” ask yourself:

Is this actually a sustainable choice… or just plastic with a PR team?

Because if we’re serious about the environment, serious about waste, serious about value — we need to stop applauding synthetic shortcuts and start investing in materials that earn their place.

You can’t fake quality. You can’t brand your way to sustainability. And you definitely can’t make plastic “green” just by calling it something cute.

So yes — congratulations. You didn’t just buy a bag.

You bought trash with a label.