Is wool sustainable? This is a question I am often asked by my clients. Wool is celebrated as a natural, renewable resource in the world of sustainable fashion. But how sustainable is it really? From its origins in sheep farming to the ethical concerns around its production, I’m diving into everything you need to know to make an informed decision about wool.
Let’s unravel the complexities of wool sustainability and see if it deserves a place in your conscious wardrobe.
What is wool, and how is it produced sustainably?
Wool comes from sheep, goats, alpacas, and even rabbits. The process starts with shearing, then cleaning and spinning, and finally weaving into fabric. Unlike many synthetic fibres, wool is entirely natural and renewable. However, how eco-friendly and ethical it is can vary widely, depending on the farming and production practices. One of the things that is often left undiscussed is how clearing land for agriculture impacts biodiversity and the climate.
Sustainability Factors of Wool in Fashion
Wool stands out for being durable and biodegradable, and it doesn’t release microplastics as many synthetic (oil-based, polyester) fibres do. Plus, wool is highly renewable, as sheep naturally regrow their fleece. Wool makes for very beautiful, long-lasting clothing that adapts to different temperatures.
There is no question that wool is considered a superior material and luxurious-feeling yarn for items like socks, jumpers, blazers, scarves, suits, and coats.
But there’s more to it. The environmental impact of wool has to include the methane emissions from sheep and the resources needed to manage grazing land, and very often this part is excluded from the conversation, and the focus is on mulesing–free and ethical farming.
Overall, wool should be considered more eco-friendly when compared to polyester, for example. Synthetic materials, such as fleece, can release almost 1 million microfibres into the water while being washed. Microplastics are a huge threat to the environment, the ecosystem, and all living creatures.
Carbon Footprint OF WOOL
Wool production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to methane released by sheep during digestion. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies indicate that producing 1 kilogram of virgin wool can result in emissions ranging from 10 to 103 kg CO₂ equivalent. In contrast, mechanically recycled wool significantly reduces this impact, with emissions between 0.1 and 0.9 kg CO2 equivalent per kilogramme.
Find out more: Carbonfact
Water and Land Use
Wool production requires substantial land, often utilising non-arable areas unsuitable for other agriculture. While this can be advantageous, it may also lead to land degradation if not managed sustainably. Water consumption in wool processing is lower compared to some synthetic fibres; however, the use of chemicals in sheep dipping and wool scouring can pose environmental risks if wastewater is not properly treated.
Find out more: International Wool Textile Organisation
Comparative Analysis with Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibres like polyester are derived from fossil fuels, leading to significant carbon emissions during production. Additionally, laundering synthetic garments releases microplastics into waterways, contributing to pollution. Wool, being a natural fibre, does not shed microplastics and is biodegradable, offering environmental advantages in this regard.
Find out more: The Woolmark Company
Certifications and Sustainable Practices
Certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) aim to ensure ethical treatment of animals and sustainable land management. However, the effectiveness of these certifications depends on rigorous enforcement and transparency throughout the supply chain.
Is wool environmentally friendly?
- Pros: Wool is biodegradable, renewable, and requires fewer chemicals in processing; it doesn’t shed microfibres, unlike its polyester counterparts.
- Cons: High methane emissions, potential land degradation, water use, and mistreatment of sheep are always a deep concern
Ethical Concerns in Wool Production
There are important ethical questions tied to wool. Animal welfare issues, like mulesing in sheep, have raised red flags, especially for vegan consumers. Fortunately, certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) are in place to try and ensure more ethical practices; they say they guarantee humane treatment of animals and sustainable land management. However, like all certifications, there is always room for bad practice, and the recent undercover footage from PETA from sheep farms in New Zealand is certainly a shock
Brands Embracing Sustainable Wool Practices
Brands are leading the way with ethically sourced wool; they are at least trying to ensure sustainable practices across their supply chains, which is why they use only certified wool sources, but as I mentioned in my paragraph above, trust can be broken and certifications are never 100% guaranteed.
Stella McCartney uses responsibly sourced and certified wool in her collections
Low-Rise Check Straight-Leg Trousers £890
For Spring 2025, these trousers are immaculately constructed from a blend of organic cotton and fully traceable RWS-certified wool, tailored to a low-rise, straight-leg silhouette and swathed in a check pattern.
High-Neck A-Line Trench Coat £2,695
Immaculately tailored from RWS-certified wool, this trench coat is shaped by a high neck, a gun flap, and a loose-fitting, A-line silhouette, punctuated with two rows of tonal buttons. Look to the cuffs for more belted, buckle details.
Clasp-Embellished Wool Jumpsuit £1,790 to £1,074
The jumpsuit is tailored from soft RWS-certified wool and loosely outlines the torso before panning out into pleated, straight legs that finish at floor-length hems. Detailed with gold clasps stitched on two flap pockets for a utilitarian fashion touch.
RECYCLED WOOL IN COLOURFUL OPTIONS
Women Classic Merino Wool Crew – Various Colours £90
These recycled merino wool jumpers are great for their natural softness, breathability, and temperature-regulating properties. The finely knit fabric of this crewneck provides a gentle touch against your skin, offering warmth without bulk, making it an ideal choice for year-round wear.
Max Mara. Turquoise Teddy Bear Coat PRELOVED via Vestiaire Collective £938
Iconic long coat with long sleeves and two front patch pockets. 62% alpaca, 26% virgin wool, 12% silk. UK Seller.
Stella Mccartney Beaufort Prince of Wales Plaid Blazer in Grey Wool Via eBay £150
Stella McCartney Beaufort Prince of Wales Plaid Blazer in luxurious grey wool. UK Seller
Pros and Cons of Wool for Fashion
So let’s think about the pros of wool. It is natural, durable, naturally odour-resistant, and biodegradable. The quality of wool is far superior to acrylic and polyester clothing, and wool can be used for a wide range of things, not just fashion.
Wool is not harmful to our health, and once produced, the maintenance of wool doesn’t result in environmental pollution every time it’s washed, unlike synthetic alternatives. Check out my Check its Wool blog for more information on the benefits of wool.
The obvious cons of wool are the ethical concerns, environmental implications of raising cattle, and the welfare of sheep. Wool is much more expensive than synthetic equivalents and requires a level of care that most polyester garments can go without. Wool also attracts moths, and you need to spend time and money safeguarding your wool clothes so they don’t get destroyed by the little critters! Wool comes from farms, and there’s a huge environmental impact on ecosystems due to methane and land degradation.
With responsible practices, wool can score high on sustainability depending on which report you look at, particularly for durability and biodegradability. But animal welfare and environmental impact are key factors to consider and whilst wool has its merits, the entire process (not just from shearing to production) has to be factored in.
Sheep farming has a high environmental footprint. Whilst wool as a final product is a fantastic material in terms of quality and can be argued is naturally sustainable, agricultural farming is not inherently sustainable, so this is why I cannot score NEW WOOL higher than a 3.
Final Thoughts
Wool is a fantastic option for those seeking durable, eco-friendly fabric, as long as it’s sourced responsibly. For ethical and sustainable wool, always look for certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). Consider wool as a long-term wardrobe investment; you need to decide if buying responsible wool new or wool preloved is more aligned with your values.
Putting the ethical implications to one side, wool is unquestionably a high-quality material. I don’t tend to purchase wool ‘brand new’, and I would prefer to see more focus on recycling wool that is already in circulation.
Wool is an animal product, so there will always be ethical questions around its use. It’s up to you to decide how you feel about it. I think vintage, preloved, and recycled is the way to go.
