Wool

[dangermouseisace]

I struggle with this one. I knit/crochet etc and am currently crocheting using wool, for a Woolly Hug as this is the stipulated yarn. I usually avoid wool.

However, I find it difficult to reconcile my environmental and vegan concerns. Acrylic is made from petroleum products so is bad for the environment. There are natural alternatives such as bamboo and cotton but they just don’t have the same qualities. Especially for things like winter jumpers/socks, where the heat retaining qualities are far superior.

Wool used in insulation is also much more environmentally friendly than fibreglass.

I know that Australian practices are barbaric, but surely British wool must be better for the environment than man made alternatives?

Bumping this for you as I'd like to know more about it too. Be great if some MNers with knowledge of wool farming (is it even called that??) could comment.

Well a vegan wouldn’t use any products originating from a living being so wool is out.
www.peta.org/living/personal-care-fashion/vegan-knitting/

As the OP had indicated, life is complicated, and while sticking to the strict rules of veganism-as-a-religion works for some, there are those of us who want to work with it as a template for broader environmental awareness.

Try posting in Ethical Living OP, might be more relevant traffic for you

I don’t really know anything about it but would welcome being educated!

I'm an omnivore but I don't eat wool.

Basing this purely on something I saw on tv recently (sorry!) But they said sheep can overheat, get infestations etc and die if not sheered. Does that help at all? As I said sorry if not a properly scientific answer.

Cotton production is pretty hard on the environment, despite being 'natural'.