Is the Viral Coachtopia Leather Handbag Actually Good For the Planet? We Investigated

Whether it’s the perfect biker jacket or a luxury bag, leather is one of fashion’s most commonly used textiles. In fact, the global leather market is so massive that it’s expected to grow 6.6 percent annually from the $242.85 billion reported in 2022. With so much growth and demand, however, there is a downside. Studies by the Leather Panel show that the carbon footprint is significant; CO2 emissions for leather equal 17.0kg of CO2e per square meter of leather produced. On top of that, 90 percent of leather is tanned with carcinogenic chromium; others use arsenic and formaldehyde. These chemicals are toxic to the environment and the workers who are exposed during the process. To offset this impact, brands like Coach are turning to upcycling and the act of using already existing leather waste.

Yes, Coach, a brand famous for leather bags, is embarking on a new phase in less-impactful leather production and recently launched its own solution with Coachtopia. The new Coachtopia handbag collection features a leather lining made from at least 50 percent recycled leather scraps. Still, the concept as a whole is to prototype new products using recycled, repurposed, or renewable materials.

To see what this new concept is all about, POPSUGAR decided to try a Coachtopia product for ourselves. Read on for my honest review of the Coach Wavy Dinky in Coachtopia Leather.