Luxury and sustainability: can something be both?

Many consumers are becoming more conscious about their purchases, wanting to make sure that the choices they make aren’t adversely affecting the planet, its people or their prosperity.

Most of us are aware that the current model of fast fashion isn’t sustainable, contributing significantly to the climate crisis and utilising unethical labour practices. But what about luxury goods?

Historically, luxury has been somewhat synonymous with indulgence, opulence and extravagance. These words don’t exactly scream ‘environmentally friendly’.

However, an increasing number of luxury brands are adopting sustainable practices. This means that luxury products now transcend these terms and instead, can be considered as items that are exceptional in not only quality but also in the methods used to craft them. So yes, luxury can be sustainable but there are various factors at play.

What is true sustainability?

Sustainability is about more than just the physical environment - it’s a way of using resources that could continue forever without causing harm. True sustainability encompasses practices and products that meet the needs of the present while simultaneously focusing on future viability by preserving human, social, economic and environmental resources.



Finding truly sustainable luxury brands can be a challenge, especially amid greenwashing marketing practices whereby companies are purposely vague or exaggerate their sustainability credentials.

For example, a brand could cite their clothes as being sustainable as they are made from recycled cotton, but the methods used to process the textiles may generate significant carbon emissions and the factory may employ children.

How luxury brands achieve sustainability

For luxury to be sustainable, human, economic and ecological consideration needs to be woven into every aspect of the business. At Billy Tannery, our leather goods are made for those who care about shopping responsibly without compromising on quality. We achieve sustainability through several key elements:

Quality materials

We use goat leather that would otherwise go to waste from the UK food industry and deer leather that is a by-product of necessary deer culling in the UK. By transforming these discarded hides into high-quality leather, we ensure a premium material that’s both durable and naturally unique.



Eco leather and real leather are often pitted against one another for their sustainability credentials but for us, there’s no competition. Plant-based or synthetic leathers are nearly always made using plastic and after a short life, will end up in landfill where they’ll stay indefinitely. In contrast, real leather is a natural product which can be used for decades and when it does eventually get discarded, will biodegrade back to the earth.

Timeless design

Billy Tannery focuses on classic, highly useable designs that remain relevant season after season. By steering clear of fast fashion trends, we ensure our products have a long lifespan and are investment pieces that won’t go out of style.

Our leather tote bag, for instance, is ideal for everyday wear and taking to the office but can also hold everything you need for an overnight trip. It has top handles and a detachable shoulder strap so it is highly adaptable and comes in three traditional rich colours that align with both casual clothing and more tailored looks.

Circular economy

Billy Tannery is deeply rooted in the circular economy model through upcycling waste materials into luxury goods. We give new life to the hides that would otherwise be discarded, transforming them into high-end, functional accessories. This closed-loop system reduces waste and promotes sustainable consumption by turning potential landfill into luxury leather products.

Sustainable practices

We operate our own micro-tannery in the UK and use sustainable practices throughout our production process.

We use a vegetable tanning method, which relies on natural tannins from tree bark instead of harsh chemicals to dye our leather. This eco-friendly approach minimises our environmental impact and allows us to compost or safely irrigate the waste.

Supply chain transparency

Billy Tannery maintains full transparency throughout our supply chain by keeping all processes local, from sourcing hides to the final product. We work with two small production partners, based in Leicestershire and Somerset, who were chosen for their passion, artistry and consistency.

Each step of manufacture is carried out in the UK, ensuring high ethical standards and labour practice visibility, reducing our carbon footprint, and allowing customers to trace the journey of their leather goods. We believe that this transparency builds trust and supports our customers in making informed sustainable purchasing decisions.

Repair guarantees

Our products are made to last. However, if you have any problems with your purchase, no matter how you’ve had it, you can get in touch. In all instances, we will do our best to repair your item, and unless the damage is deemed to be caused through fair wear and tear, repairs will be free.

Consumer education

Understanding the importance of informed consumer choices, we offer extensive resources through our leather knowledge centre, educating our customers about the benefits of sustainable leather and providing care tips for their products. By promoting conscious consumption, we empower our customers to make sustainable choices and extend the life of their items, contributing to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.



If you want to learn more about our luxury, sustainable products, you can read our guide to long-lasting leather bags or check out our pick of the best sustainable unisex gifts.  Of course, you can also shop our full range of leather products.