Wool is our future.
Over the last 10 years there has been a huge decline in the use of wool as we move into this fast pace world where synthetic materials are cheaper and easier to produce than natural fibres such as wool. As we have moved away from natural fibers such as wool or cotton, more and more farmers are left with bales of wool sitting in their wool sheds waiting until the price is right so they can sell it and make a dollar, not lose one. Wool is a renewable and sustainable product that we have on tap in NZ and we need to utilise it’s amazing attributes. In this we write up I am covering the exciting new opportunities with wool in NZ, the benefits of wool and why wool is our future.
So what are the benefits of wool? It’s natural, renewable, fire retardant, biodegradable , breathable, and it’s a natural Insulator. If those reasons aren’t enough for you to fall in love with this wonder product then hopefully I can persuade you with some of the exciting new things happening with wool. Oh and I forgot to mention the many synthetic fibres which are dangerous, toxic, flammable, shed micro plastics and non biodegradable…. and yet farmers are still getting slammed by many people for producing wool? We need to start the conversations to correct the misconceptions around sheep farming and wool production.
In a recent article by Marta Steeman from Stuff, it was said that some farmers in NZ were making no money from strong wool and for some, they were deciding to bury it. It was exactly this issue that provoked inventor and entrepreneur, Logan Williams to start a new project. With NZ Merino, Williams has purchasing crossbred wool off farmers in NZ and mixing this with PLA to create a biodegradable plastic. This new company has been formed called Keravos, you can read more about this here. How amazing is that? What an exciting opportunity for the NZ wool industry.
Recently I was reading Chef Nadia Lim’s new Autumn Journal, Nadia and it brought me to tears. If you haven’t read it yet, then you need to! Nadia spoke about how surprised she is that NZ wool is not utilised more and that we need to recognise this wonder product. Something else that really stood out to me was that Nadia actually recognized that there is a need for change and many New Zealander’s are making those changes already. Good things take time and we need to remember that. We need more of the positive stories to be shared across our country. So thank you Nadia.
If you can’t tell already, I am very passionate about wool and the wool industry in NZ. Wool is a renewable and biodegradable product produced sustainable in NZ. It has many uses from carpet or caskets to biodegradable plastics. It makes me so excited talking about wool and the future of it, I really can’t wait to see where the industry goes. Here are some amazing woolen products that already exist in NZ that I personally love. Woolen plasters made by Wool Aid, woolen caskets made by Exquisite Wool Blankets, woolen accessories made by Honest Wolf , wool yarn and sports clothing made by The Grumpy Merino or woolen clothing and accessories made by Perriam.
So what’s the hold up? Why aren’t we all buying it? Cost. At the moment to buy wool products in NZ is not a viable option for everyone. We all keep talking about this change and supporting and backing the wool industry but unless we buy the products, it can’t keep moving forward. The more we buy it and support it, the more affordable it will become. So for now, if you can afford to buy wool, please do. If you can buy it second hand or support a small business then please do. This doesn’t mean just buy woolen products willy nilly but where you can, please buy wool.
I can’t wait to watch the New Zealand Wool industry grow. Wool is our future. #supportnzwool
Disclaimer: I am not a writer and this is an opinion piece for those that may be interested to read.
Image sourced from: NICOLE GOURLEY/STUFF. New Zealand produces about 220,000 tonnes of wool a year with 90 per cent of that strong wool.