Following the launch of a public consultation process by Minister Alan Dillion on textile management on Wednesday 21st May, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have pointed to the increased use of wool as an obvious solution in reducing textile waste.
Speaking on this National Chair of the INHFA, Pheilim Molloy encouraged Minister Dillion and his officials to rethink the current strategy stating that “if they are serious about reaching targets within the circular economy then, replacing synthetic products with wool will deliver for the textile circular economy while contributing to more sustainable and eco-friendly practices.”
The textile sector is Molloy stated “a major polluter in the global economy while in Ireland 65% of used textiles are either landfilled or incinerated. These end of use options are, Molloy added “creating major problems through toxins from incineration and a very slow decomposition when landfilled while wool as a natural fibre decomposes easily significantly reducing any pollution.”
Beyond this Molloy also outlined other benefits to the inclusion of wool that includes
Renewable Resource: Wool is a renewable fibre obtained from sheep, allowing for continuous production without depleting finite resources.
Durability and Longevity: Wool garments are durable and long-lasting, encouraging reuse and reducing the frequency of disposal and replacement.
Natural Insulation: Wool’s excellent insulating properties enable garments to provide warmth with less material, potentially reducing the amount of fibre needed.
Recyclability and Reprocessing: Wool can be mechanically recycled into new fibres or felted products, supporting closed-loop recycling systems.
Natural Moisture Management: Wool’s ability to absorb moisture helps maintain garment quality over time, promoting longer use.
Low Environmental Impact: When sourced sustainably, wool production has a lower environmental footprint compared to synthetic fibers, especially when considering biodegradability and renewability.
Supports Ethical and Sustainable Practices: Wool production can incorporate ethical animal husbandry and sustainable grazing practices, aligning with circular economy principles.
In concluding the INHFA Chair stated that “by integrating wool into the textile lifecycle, the industry can advance sustainability goals, reduce waste, and promote resource efficiency within the circular economy framework while helping to deliver a major price bonus for farmers and encouraged Minister Dillion to embrace this opportunity.”