Sustainability focus: Recycled leather

As conscious consumerism continues to grow, sustainable materials are taking centre stage in the fashion and accessories industry. One such material making waves is recycled leather — a solution that offers the look and feel of traditional leather while reducing waste and environmental impact.

That's where recycled leather comes in. Produced using by-products and consumer waste, recycled leather is one initiative attempting to close the loop on fashion waste. So, what exactly is it? How is it made? And how can it be of use to you? We take a look.

• Where does recycled leather come from?
• How is recycled leather produced?
• What are the pros and cons of recycled leather?
• How can you incorporate recycled leather into your branding projects?
• Recycled leather is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to innovative materials

Where does recycled leather come from?

Recycled leather is produced from waste leather — whether offcuts from the leather tanning industry, scraps from fashion production, or discarded consumer products such as old bags and shoes.

Although it's derived from a natural product, traditional virgin leather can have a heavy environmental cost due to chemical processing. These chemicals can be harmful when leather breaks down, posing long-term issues for landfill and ecosystems.

By contrast, recycled leather aims to close the loop. It keeps valuable materials in circulation and supports a circular economy that minimises waste and environmental harm.

How is recycled leather produced?

• Leather cut-offs, waste, and scraps are collected, shredded, dried and ground into fine granules.
  
  
• These granules are mixed with water to form a pulp, which is dried and ground again.
  
  
• The pulp is stretched into a thin tape with leather-like characteristics.
  
  
• It is then pressed, compacted and dried in an oven for 8 to 16 hours to create a solid sheet.

What are the pros and cons of recycled leather?

While recycled leather has properties similar to virgin leather, it has been processed and won't be exactly the same. Recycled leather uses polymers and chemicals during production, which impacts the material's overall performance.

The pros of recycled leather

• Reduces waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.
• Supports a circular economy and more sustainable production cycles.
• Offers greater creative flexibility — with a broader range of colours, textures and finishes than virgin leather.
• Cost-effective due to lower material and resource input.
• Naturally water-resistant, meaning it’s less prone to staining.
• Suitable for a wide range of branding applications, from trims to accessories.

The cons of recycled leather

• Less durable than full-grain virgin leather, especially in high-wear environments.
• More prone to cracking and peeling over time due to its thinner composition.
• Still involves synthetic binders, chemicals and water in the production process.
• Energy usage can be high during processing, depending on the manufacturer.

How can you incorporate recycled leather into your branding projects?

Looking to elevate your sustainability credentials while maintaining a premium feel? Recycled leather is a perfect fit for brands that want to combine eco-conscious values with a tactile, high-quality finish.

Here are just a few applications where recycled leather shines:

• Woven or embossed badges

• Branded patches for apparel

• Zip pulls and keyrings

• Hangtags and swing tickets

• Luxury packaging trims

Whether you're designing for retail, fashion or lifestyle products, recycled leather adds an elevated touch that tells a sustainability story your customers will connect with.

Recycled leather is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to innovative materials

At Weavabel, we're constantly investing in next-generation sustainable materials. From recycled leather to organic cotton, cork and beyond — our portfolio gives you the tools to design packaging and trims that align with your brand's environmental goals.

Want to dive deeper into the materials we offer? Download our free Textiles Cheat Sheet below to discover the full range of eco-friendly options available to you.