Super Eco

Wool is the name for the specialized skin cells (called "follicles") of sheep and other similar animals. Sheep which have mostly primary follicles are considered wool sheep, while sheep which have a mixture of primary and secondary follicles, or wool and hair, are called "hair sheep." The fiber derived from sheep is spun, by hand or machine, to make wool yarn. Wool is different from hair or fur in several ways. It grows in clumps called "staples"; it is hygroscopic; it is elastic (allowing it to be spun and stretched); and it is crimped.

Wool has many properties that distinguish it from other natural and synthetic fibers and make it a superior choice for many applications. Wool is unusually absorbent and can soak up to one-third of its weight in water before it begins to feel wet (compared to 2-3% for synthetic fibers). Wool is elastic, and wool garments can be stretched or crushed without losing their shape. Wool has a high ignition rate and doesn't melt or drip, so it does not burn easily. Wool also resists static electricity. It has excellent insulation properties and, when treated with the natural lanolin present in virgin wool, is slightly antibacterial.

Wool production and treatment of sheep

While many small-scale farmers and individuals maintain a few sheep, alpaca or goats in farms for annual shearing using positive practices, animal rights organizations have called for boycott of wool due to objectional treatment of many merino sheep in Australia. The chief concern involves a process called "mulesing," in which large areas of skin and flesh around the sheep's hindquarters are cut in order to prevent blowfly maggot infestation. According to PETA, 60% to 80% of Australian merino sheep are subjected to this practice, which includes having the sheep's tails removed.

There is no evidence that wool produced in other countries is associated with as many objectionable practices as Australia, and the impact of sheep on the environment is minimal, as sheep are typically allowed to graze on range rather than being confined. According to the Vegetarian Society,"the majority of sheep appear to have been less effected by intensive farming practices than other farm animals."

Slate Magazine's analysis is that wool and cotton are about equal in their adverse environmental impact. Sheep do produce methane, one of the most problematic greenhouse gases; but they produce about one-tenth as much methane as a cow, and the impact is worse when the sheep are kept in confined conditions. In addition, the production of wool requires a great deal of water; a metric ton of wool requires 500,000 litres of water during the life of the sheep, as well as to rid the wool of impurities.

Recycling wool

Wool can be recycled in a huge variety of ways. Knitted wool garments can be unraveled (or "frogged") and their yarn can be re-used in another application. Wool fabric can be fulled to create wool felt and sewed into garments, toys, or other craft applications. Wool can be shredded for use as insulation. Wool is extremely durable and can often withstand decades of wear.

[Image credit: Sarah Gilbert]