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Best Vegan Wallets Made From Recycled Materials

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Looking for a new wallet? Let me help you with my guide to the best vegan wallets. Rather than plastic-based faux leather, I’ve found the best wallets made from recycled materials so that your wallet can both look and do good.

The interest in vegan products is growing. However, this growing interest means a rise in greenwashing from unscrupulous manufacturers looking to cash in on this growing market.

Most vegan wallets available are made from vegan leather. Vegan leather sounds superior. However, all vegan leather is made from non-renewable fossil fuel-based plastics. These contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases which accelerate climate change.

Meanwhile, PVC – a common vegan leather – is regarded as the most toxic of all plastics. As well as being a carcinogen, it’s known to cause diabetes, as well as damage immune systems, disrupt hormones, and cause birth defects. PVC’s ill effects are wide-ranging. Workers, soil and water supplies, and nearby communities can all be at risk from this toxic substance.

Vegan leather made from plant-based materials such as pineapple skin, mushrooms and cactus is having a moment. However, even vegan leathers made from natural products have to be blended with plastic – as much as 50% plastic. This means they still use non-renewable fossil fuels and are not recyclable, compostable or biodegradable at the end of their life.

The Best Vegan Wallets Made From Recycled Materials

Person holding a wallet, with a blue text box that says guide to the best vegan wallets made from recycled materials.

However, there are ways to be more sustainable whilst sticking to your vegan principles. When it comes to shopping for vegan products you can opt for items made from recycled materials, rather than opting for vegan leather.

To help you out, I’ve got my top vegan wallet recommendations, all of which have been recycled or repurposed from items that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Use the quick links to jump to a specific section of this post, or keep scrolling for the full guide:

Roka

Roka purse on white table with money and train tickets coming out.

You might have heard of Roka before. In case the name rings a bell, this is the brand that makes stylish recycled rucksacks. Luckily for us, Roka has branched out into wallets (£22.95 from Trouva).

Made from vegan-friendly recycled canvas and recycled nylon, it’s designed to keep your money, cards, and valuables organised. With three sections all tucked away under one main, secure zip, this versatile and durable wallet is set to become your favourite travel companion!


Elvis & Kresse

Elvis and Kresse red vegan wallet made from recycled fire hose

Elvis & Kresse make vegan wallets (£78.50 from Not On The High St) from genuine decommissioned fire hoses. Previously deployed in active duty for up to 25 years, fighting fires around the UK, the decommissioned hoses would otherwise end up in landfill.

Instead, Elvis & Kresse cleverly repurposes the hose by hand into luxury accessories. Hoses make for a great vegan-friendly material because the hose softens with use but never loses its strength. And as you would expect from a hose, they are naturally water-resistant and extremely durable.

When it comes to recycling, Elvis and Kresse haven’t stopped there. Its wallets are even lined with reclaimed military-grade parachute silk. You can even have your wallet personalised.

What’s more, as well as looking after your money, your wallet helps look after others. This is because Elvis & Kresse donate 50% of their profits to charity. Specifically, the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps support serving and retired firefighters across the UK.


Cycle Of Good

Cycle of Good wallet from recycled innertubes

Cycle Of Good (£16.95 on Etsy) takes waste from the cycling industry that would otherwise end up in landfill and recycles it into clever accessories. These are loved by cycling enthusiasts and non-cyclists alike.

Its clever range of vegan wallets is made from recycled innertubes by fairly paid tailors in Malawi. This classic style wallet has four handy credit card slots, and a large note section, lined with an eye-catching fabric called Chitenge.

Chitenge are colourful pieces of fabric that contain a variety of patterns and designs. This particular Chitenge is 100% cotton and has been wax-printed, and then bound with cotton binding.

For a fun touch, some of their recycled inner tubes have manufacturers writing on them, or the odd puncture repair patch. This means that no two wallets will ever be identical.


Mouse Sails

Mouse Sails recycled wallet

Boating enthusiasts might be interested in Mouse Sails (£24 on Etsy). This Wales-based upcycling operation takes old boat sails destined for landfill and upcycles them into a range of clever accessories, including tote bags, pouches and wallets.

It’s range of vegan-friendly wallets is a great way to keep all your cards and cash in one place. And with one large compartment for cash and/or receipts and two card storage wallets, with space behind them for more cards, these roomy wallets store your essentials without being bulky.

The recycled sailcloth – which comes in a variety of different colours and patterns – is stitched together with hard-wearing thread – ready to sail with you into the sunset once again.


Lotus Direct

Lotus Direct purse made from cement bags

Lotus Direct’s range of wallets (£22 at Not On The High St) are ethically handcrafted by Cambodian artisans, who are paid fair wages and work in their own homes.

Made using reinforced recycled fish feed and cement bags, this makes each wallet durable, compact, lightweight and wipeable.

These Fairtrade-certified wallets feature a pocket for notes, a zipped pocket for holding coins, and multiple slip pockets to hold your bank cards. This means there’s ample space for all of your essentials.


Hopefully you’ve been able to find the perfect wallet for you. And if you are looking for more vegan clothing and accessory inspiration, do check out my handy guides:

Main image used c/o Cycle of Good.

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