Wool may be super soft, luxurious, warm yet lightweight, durable, and versatile, but its benefits go far beyond the rewards you reap from its use in your home and wardrobe. An investment in a wool product is excellent news for the planet too.
Here, we reveal more about the environmentally friendly and ethical side of this all-natural wonder fibre.
It’s humane
The wool products we provide are ethically sourced and completely cruelty-free. Our baby alpaca wool, alpaca wool, merino wool, and lambswool are all sourced with care.
We take the welfare of the animals that produce wool first so you can realise all the benefits of the most luxurious natural fibres on the planet.
It’s naturally biodegradable
Unbeknown to many, wool is actually made from atmospheric carbon with a staggering 50% of its weight identified as organic carbon.
Sheep and alpaca play vital roles in the carbon cycle. The pasture eaten by these animals is converted into wool, but that’s not the best of it! Thanks to its carbon content, wool is naturally biodegradable. If disposed of, wool can be used as fertiliser to release its carbon back into the soil and benefit pastures once again. Here The Woolmark Company explains more about wool’s 100% biodegradable status:
“Wool biodegrades readily in as little as three to four months, but the rate varies with soil type and conditions, climate and wool characteristics. Some studies found more rapid degradation after only four weeks’ burial. This process releases essential elements such as nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium back to the soil, where they are taken up by growing plants.”
It’s reusable and renewable
Wool may be 100% biodegradable but it’s also an investment that people can hold onto for generations. Our favourite wool items stay in our wardrobes and homes for years.
Even when we’re done with them, wool items are readily recycled, reused or repaired to be worn by someone else thanks to their durability.
Wool is designed to be worn for the long term, which is a positive step away from the troubling and environmentally damaging trend of fast fashion.
According to the Global Wardrobe Study, wool garments are the longest kept items in both female and male wardrobes. They even live on through resale or change of ownership. As a result, owners of wool garments have less of an impact on the planet.
It’s easy to maintain
Wool is washed less frequently than other materials and this benefits the planet too. Wool is also washed at lower temperatures, which further reduces environmental impact.
Wool is easier to care for than many think. Its waxy coating makes it naturally stain resistant as well as anti-static. The vast majority of wool items can also be machine washed and tumble dried for extra ease.
It’s naturally occurring
Wool is naturally occurring and requires significantly less production. It is, therefore, less harmful to the environment than synthetic fibres.
Choosing wool instead of man-made fibres makes sense for several reasons. The lack of chemicals used to produce wool makes it a safer solution for all, including people with allergies, asthma and other sensitivities. Alpaca wool, in particular, is well known for its hypoallergenic qualities and breathability. Here’s how alpaca wool can help you to breathe easy.