With each passing day, you will witness a steady shift towards sustainability in the textile sector. The utility of recyclable and biodegradable materials is the need of the hour to combat global warming.
Based on this idea, the circular economy concept is grabbing lots of attention. In a nutshell, a circular economy is a framework that includes solutions to tackle climate change. Its application extends to various domains, including the textile field.
Circularity in textiles includes regenerative materials like wool to create clothing. This article discusses why wool plays a perfect role in a circular design.
Principles of Circular Economy
Before moving on to understand the role of wool in a circular design, it is vital to note the three pillars of this concept:
- Regeneration of nature
- Elimination of pollution and waste
- Circulation of products in the economy
This concept has a broad scope. However, Circularity emphasises creating durable clothes that involve the least amount of harmful processing.
The raw materials are easy to reuse, recycle, and refurbish. Also, the garments made in a circular economy are biodegradable after completing their life cycle.
The Role of Wool Fibre in Circular Design
Among all the various raw materials used in the textile field, wool is the pivot in achieving a circular design.
Here are some inherent reasons for the high significance of wool to drive this economy:
- Wool is a 100% biodegradable material
- The garments made from wool are highly durable
- Woollen fibres biodegrade in the soil as well as in water
- The high strength of its fibres enables easy repairing
- It is highly recyclable
All these aspects make wool a perfect fit as a circular raw material. Hence, the garments have the least impact on climate change and pollution.
Wool’s Model of Clothing Production
Wool serves as an integral part of the circular textile economy from start to end. Take a brief look at each stage.
1. Basic Production
Synthetic fibres are processed from fossil fuels and petrochemicals. Both these constituents are non-renewable. On the other hand, wool comes from sheep who produce fleece.
This way, it is a renewable material. In addition, wool requires natural elements like air, grass, and water for adequate growth.
2. Utility Stage
How often do you replace your woollen garments? Certainly not that frequent. You tend to use and store woollen clothes for comparatively longer durations.
Also, washing wool textiles isn’t a daily affair. Hence, the extended utility of wool makes it lower potential environmental impact.
3. Disposal Phase
Wool acts as a fertiliser after decomposing in soil. In this process, it releases nutrients into the earth. Hence, even at the disposal stage, wool is a non-polluting material for the environment.
Thus, wool completes perfect Circularity in a sustainable economy from start to end.
Wrapping Up
Wool, as a sustainable material, has many applications. Garments like thermal wear, sweaters, suits, and socks are some everyday products.
In addition, woollen carpets and covers are popular items across the globe. Textile brands have realised the significance of this material in aiding circular design.
As a result, it makes perfect sense to witness a rise in woollen garments in the upcoming years. From the early production stage to the end disposal phase, wool acts as an ideal circular raw material.
Thus, its importance in textile and the global economy is pivotal, especially to combat climate change.
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