Sustainability and Merino Wool
Learn all about the sustainability of merino wool. Read the answers to frequently asked questions about mulesing-free animal welfare, biodegradability, and environmental impact.
Do you ever wonder how sustainable your favourite merino wool sweater really is? Good news: merino wool is a 100% natural, renewable, and biodegradable fiber.
- Materials
- 100% natural merino wool
- Animal Welfare
- Exclusively from mulesing-free sources
- Biodegradability
- 100% biodegradable in soil (no microplastics)
- Maintenance & Environment
- Fewer washes required thanks to the self-cleaning fiber structure
SUSTAINABILITY IS A FACT
Every now and then, we get questions about our merino wool—where it comes from, whether it’s sustainable, or how it affects animal welfare. We’ve put together the answers for you—sounds good?
1. Is merino wool a sustainable raw material?
Yes! Merino wool is 100% biodegradable. It can be added to the compost pile without any issues, although it takes just under a year for everything to be absorbed by the soil. It’s good to know that after your lifetime, the remains of your merino wool favourites won’t pollute the soil, right? But it’s even better to recycle your sweater...
2. Is merino wool 100% recyclable?
Yes, it is!Drop it off at the recycling center or in the clothing bin next to where you get your groceries for the week: merino wool clothing that is no longer suitable for wear is sent by recycling hubs to specialized companies that cut and shred it so that it can be spun into yarn again. This is called the “fiber-to-fiber” method.
What was once a garment is recycled back into the same category as much as possible. Only when that’s not possible for whatever reason does it go to a lower category. Think of filling for mattresses and car seats, or fibers for carpeting. Either way: merino wool is circular.
And… Merino wool comes from a renewable source. A modern term for “grows back on its own.” It’s a given. So much for the most important general sustainability aspects of merino wool. But what about our own merino wool? We’ve put together a Q&A for you—be sure to read on.
3. Where does your merino wool come from?
Our merino wool comes from Australia. Yeah, mate—that’s where the sheep that provide the wool graze. Australia is the world’s (merino) wool barn; from there, the wool is shipped all over the world for further processing. Because while those Aussies are the best at raising sheep, they don’t know the first thing about textiles. To each his own.
4. Are the sheep treated well?
We source our wool from a reputable wool supplier that holds Responsible Wool Standard certification. The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) requires that all links in the chain—from wool farmers to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction—be certified. RWS-certified farmers and ranchers must meet requirements regarding animal welfare, land management, and working conditions.
We deliberately chose a wool supplier with this RWS certification so that we can focus on what we do best: designing your new favourite sweaters.
Last but not least, merino wool is truly sustainable
You don’t actually have to wash* merino wool. What?? You read that right. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial and self-cleaning. This is because of lanolin, the layer of fat that coats each wool fiber. Pretty cool stuff :-). Lanolin ensures that moisture and dirt stay on the surface and aren’t absorbed into the wool fiber itself. The antibacterial effect comes from the proteins in the fat: they break down bacteria, neutralizing odours. Musty-smelling merino wool improves dramatically when you hang it outside to air out for a few hours. And Mother Nature has come up with a brilliant gimmick that makes this even more effective: fog. Perfectly timed for fall, just when you’re pulling your favourite merino wool pieces out of the storage.
Hanging them out in the bathroom works too, especially after a steamy hot shower. Odours disappear like snow in the sun. Goodbye, eau de wet dog. Hello, sustainable lady! You’ll save water, energy, and detergent.
*Sometimes you just can’t avoid doing laundry. For example, if you’ve spilled something and can’t get the stain out with gentle scrubbing and a damp cloth. Fortunately, merino wool is machine-washable, but be sure to follow the washing instructions carefully. We’ve written about this before—you can read all the ins and outs here.
Merino wool keeps you warm
Huh, what’s that doing on this list? Wasn’t this supposed to be about sustainability? Wakey wakey, girl: wearing warm clothes means using less heat. Better for the environment. And for your wallet, but that’s beside the (sustainability) point.
To wrap things up in true style, we’re treating you to a spot-on quote from Vivienne Westwood. Better to steal well than to invent poorly.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last”
xxx Team Plein Publique
Psst, now that you’re here anyway :-) > SHOP MERINO WOOL
FAQ
Is merino wool biodegradable?
Yes, merino wool is a 100% natural fiber that completely biodegrades in the soil within a few months. Unlike synthetic fabrics, it does not leave harmful microplastics behind in the environment.
What does “mulesing-free merino wool” mean?
"Mulesing-free" means that the wool comes from sheep that have not undergone the painful mulesing procedure. Plein Publique consciously chooses partners who guarantee animal welfare and mulesing-free wool.
Why does wearing merino wool have a low ecological footprint?
Merino wool naturally contains lanolin (wool grease), which repels bacteria and odours. As a result, you rarely need to wash merino wool clothing; simply hanging it outside to air out regularly is enough, which saves a lot of water and energy.
