If you're into sustainable fashion, you've probably got an eye for responsible materials. And as the chilly months start rolling in, it's time to swap your comfy cotton jumpers for some snug wool sweaters. Wool is a natural fibre known for its quality, sustainability and durability – it’s the go-to choice for winter. Yet traditional wool gets a bad rap for being not-so-ethical and definitely not vegan-friendly. So where do regenerative and recycled wool fit into the mix? At SANVT, we’re here to break down the differences between regenerative wool vs. recycled wool and help you figure out which is the better option for conscious consumption.
Wool is a no-brainer for autumn and winter. It’s warm, high-quality and just the right thing to throw on when the weather turns grim. But finding a wool sweater that ticks all the boxes – style, comfort, sustainability and animal welfare – isn’t exactly easy. Traditional wool often comes with a side order of animal cruelty. Even certifications for “ethical” wool can’t always guarantee the animals are treated well. Plus, pure wool can feel like wearing sandpaper. So, what about regenerative and recycled wool? Are they any better?
Find out what you should look out for in sustainable knitwear here.
Regenerative Wool: Giving Back to the Earth
Regenerative wool isn’t just about shearing sheep; it’s about how the land they graze on is managed. Farmers who produce regenerative wool use specific techniques to restore soil health. This boosts soil fertility, biodiversity and carbon capture. Sounds like a win-win, right? One may think that anything that can improve soil is a step in the right direction.
But here’s the catch: regenerative wool doesn’t necessarily mean better treatment of the sheep. It’s also labour-intensive and expensive to produce. Plus, there’s a growing amount of evidence that carbon storage in soil tends to be somewhat limited, as soil can only capture a certain amount of carbon until it saturates. With only a handful of farms working under these principles, regenerative wool isn’t widely available and hard to scale for mass production. So when you find a product from regenerative wool, expect to pay a premium. If you’re still keen on this eco-friendly option, keep an eye out for certifications like RWS, ROC®, or NATIVARegen™ to ensure you’re getting the real deal.
Recycled Wool: The Upcycling Game-Changer
If you’re after something more accessible, opt for recycled wool. Instead of relying on new raw materials, recycled wool uses existing wool products, like old jumpers, deadstock and leftover scraps from manufacturing. These are cleaned, shredded and spun into new yarns. Not only does this save resources, but it also cuts down on the energy and water needed to produce new wool. Smart, right?
Recycled wool is the perfect example for circular fashion, reducing textile waste and giving old fabrics new life. And let’s be honest, the fashion industry has a colossal waste problem, so any solution to tackle textile mountains is worth considering. On top of that, recycled wool is available in large quantities, making it a more scalable option.
The only downside? Recycled wool can sometimes lose a bit of quality. But here’s a simple fix: look for products that mix recycled wool with fibres like viscose. This blend helps improve durability and longevity. For a proper recycled wool product, make sure it’s made from 100% GRS-certified materials, so you know it's made ethically and sustainably.
Regenerative vs. Recycled Wool: Which One’s Better?
Both types of wool have their pros, but they’re going after different goals. Regenerative wool focuses on long-term environmental benefits, improving soil health and ecosystems – though it doesn’t put much emphasis on the welfare of the animals. Recent evidence also shows that the impact on soil health is limited and may be exaggerated by advocates of regenerative agriculture. It’s also harder to find and significantly pricier, due to a relatively limited production. A higher price also means less impact if fewer folk can afford to get involved.
Recycled wool, on the other hand, is all about reducing textile waste and offers a solid balance between price and quality. By minimising the production of new resources, it guarantees a sustainable product that’s kind to the planet and animals. In fact, apart from vintage wool sweaters, it’s probably one of the most sustainable and ethical options for wool out there.
Recycled Wool at SANVT
Our knitwear collection at SANVT is crafted from an ultra-soft blend of cashmere and wool for a luxurious feel without the itch. Handcrafted in Portugal from 100% recycled, GRS-certified materials, our products meet high ethical standards. To add to its quality, we also mix our wool with recycled viscose and recycled polyamide.
Our range includes the Wool-Blend Sweater, the Wool-Blend Roll Neck and the Wool-Blend Scarf, all made from top-notch recycled materials, including 30% wool and 5% cashmere. They’re not only super cosy, but they’re also dirt-repellent and breathable. It’s not just about the material, though – the fineness of the knit makes a huge difference too. For our jumpers, we’ve opted for a 12-gauge knit. The result is a smoother finish, better comfort and a stylish look. And since reducing waste is one of our priorities, we use the so-called "fully fashioned" knitting technique. Instead of laying pattern pieces on top of each other and cutting off the excess fabric, this technique only uses the amount of fabric that is really needed. The result: zero waste!
To go a step further in minimising our environmental impact, we decided to use 100% recycled (GRS-certified) materials in our knitwear. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a fully-fledged international standard that guarantees the traceability of recycled content. It also covers social, environmental and chemical regulations. And since we also use closed-loop water systems to recycle the water we use during production and dying processes, we’re already in the circular fashion game. That’s why we’ve chosen recycled wool – it’s better for the planet without the need for more animals to be sheared.
Regenerative Wool vs. Recycled Wool: Conclusion
Both regenerative and recycled wool have their merit and offer sustainable ways to make wool production more eco-friendly. Regenerative agriculture aims to improve soil quality, yet with potentially limited effects and a reliance on more animals. Recycling skips new resource production altogether and cuts down on textile waste. Depending on what matters more to you as a human being, you can choose between regenerative wool vs. recycled wool, knowing that either way you’re making a better choice than if you were buying conventional wool. Your wardrobe and the planet will thank you.