Wool

Image source

What has inspired the topic this week is a short segment I read in the latest 'Good' magazine about the biodegradable qualities of wool.  (Woolly Thinking, pg 66).

They mentioned that at the end of a wool garments life you can bury it (at the right depth as we know from last week) and it will be gone in a period of a few short months compared with a synthetic fabric which will still look the same many years later. 

Here is a link to a blog on Wool Fabric - it outlines the qualities of wool quite nicely and the reason why we should consider it over synthetic counterparts.  Wool may cost more, but in the long run it lasts much longer. 

Image source

Of course not all wool is equal, because if we look at the whole cycle of the fibre it would be ideal to satisfy ourselves that the farming practices for the sheep are humane and sustainable, right through to production of the garment and its eventual sale.  In addition that the dyes used are non-toxic and biodegradable.  However, just purchasing wool over synthetic is a great starting point to improving sustainability of the garments we purchase and wear. 

Next time you go to choose a garment  - consider natural fibres such as wool over synthetic fibres and if the information is available, choose NZ made, from NZ sourced fibre if possible and from a company with good credentials when it comes to sustainable practices. 

Perhaps next time you are involved with changing your workplace uniform, you could also consider these principles and see how many you boxes you can tick towards a sustainable long lasting fantastic looking uniform too!

Have a great weekend

Kind Regards
Francesca