As synthetic fibers and plastic pollution continue to wreck havoc on the planet, many of us are looking for sustainable alternatives. This is the very reason Lucky Sheep Outdoor Gear was started! Some people believe recycled plastic textiles are eco-friendly. This article looks at just how eco-friendly is it, and what are the wiser alternatives.
Pros
- Environmental Benefits – Recycled plastic textiles reduce waste by repurposing plastic bottles and other post-consumer materials, keeping them out of landfills and oceans. This also lowers reliance on virgin petroleum-based fabrics and reduces carbon emissions.
- Durability & Performance – Recycled polyester (rPET) and nylon are strong, lightweight, and moisture-wicking, making them suitable for activewear and outdoor gear.
- Market Demand – With consumers seeking sustainable fashion, brands using recycled materials benefit from increased demand and brand loyalty.
Cons
- Not Lessing the Planet’s Plastic Burden–Recycling plastic gives us the illusion we are creating less plastic, however that’s not really what happens. We continue to proliferate its use by choosing it.
- Microplastic Pollution – Despite being recycled, plastic-based textiles still shed microfibers into water systems when washed, contributing to pollution.
- Energy-Intensive Processing – The recycling process involves chemical treatments and energy use, making it less sustainable than truly natural alternatives.
- Limited Recyclability – Many recycled textiles are blended with other fibers, making them difficult to recycle again, leading to eventual landfill waste.
- Performance Trade-offs – Unlike natural fibers, recycled plastic textiles may trap heat, degrade faster, and lack breathability.
Sustainable Alternatives to Recycled Plastic Textiles
For those seeking non-toxic, biodegradable, and high-performance alternatives, here are some excellent options:
1. Natural Fibers
- Hemp – Extremely durable, breathable, UV-resistant, and naturally antimicrobial, making it ideal for outdoor wear and gear.
- Organic Cotton – Free from harmful pesticides and highly breathable, though it absorbs moisture rather than wicking it away.
- Linen (Flax) – Naturally moisture-wicking, strong, and antimicrobial but prone to wrinkles.
- Merino Wool – Temperature-regulating, odor-resistant, and moisture-wicking, making it perfect for base layers and outdoor clothing.
- Alpaca Wool – Warmer than traditional wool, water-resistant, and hypoallergenic.
2. Semi-Synthetic & Bio-Based Fibers
The Environmental Advantages of Wool
Wool stands out as one of the most sustainable textile choices. Here’s why:
1. Biodegradability
- Unlike synthetic textiles, wool naturally decomposes in soil within months to a few years, releasing valuable nutrients like nitrogen and carbon.
2. Renewable & Regenerative Resource
- Sheep regrow their fleece annually, making wool a truly renewable material.
- Proper grazing management can support regenerative agriculture, preventing overgrowth and improving soil health.
3. Low Impact Production
- Wool processing requires less energy than synthetic fiber production.
- Unlike recycled plastics, wool does not shed microplastics into waterways.
4. Durability & Longevity
- Wool garments last longer, reducing waste by minimizing the need for frequent replacements.
- Its natural elasticity resists wear and tear, outperforming many synthetic alternatives.
5. Natural Insulation & Performance
- Wool regulates body temperature, keeping wearers warm in cold conditions and cool in hot weather.
- It wicks moisture naturally, reducing the need for chemically treated performance fabrics.
6. Chemical-Free & Non-Toxic
- Wool is naturally odor-resistant and antibacterial, reducing the need for frequent washing and harsh detergents.
- Unlike synthetic fabrics, wool is naturally fire-resistant, eliminating the need for toxic flame retardants.
7. Supports Sustainable Land Management
- Sheep grazing helps prevent desertification and maintains grassland ecosystems.
- Sustainable wool farming contributes to carbon sequestration, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.
Choosing the Right Wool
While wool is an excellent sustainable choice, ethical concerns such as overgrazing and mulesing (a controversial practice in wool production) must be considered. Look for certified sustainable wool, such as:
- RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) – Ensures high animal welfare and sustainable land management.
- ZQ Merino – Guarantees ethical farming, environmental sustainability, and traceability.
- GOTS-certified Organic Wool – Produced without harmful chemicals and pesticides.
- Eco-Wool–This is what is used at Lucky Sheep in our sleeping bags.
- The name “Eco Wool®” is the signature product of Woolgatherers Carding Mill for the batting that goes in the Lucky Sheep™ sleeping bags as well as the felt that goes into the Wool Sleeping Pads.
- Eco Wool® batting is made from a blend of wool from different sheep breeds selected by Woolgatherer Carding Mill. Each sheep ranch must ensure that fleeces come from healthy sheep raised on sustainably managed lands. Woolgathers pays collaborating woolgrowers a premium for the best fleeces from their flocks. Fleeces are then cleaned and carded on a full wool card line, which produces the finest known woolen batting available.
- PROPER GRAZING METHODS: Adequate field rotation to decrease soil erosion and to reduce the risk of sheep acquiring internal parasites.
- PREDATOR FRIENDLY: Growers are encouraged to use trained sheep guardian dogs (not trapping or shooting) and the inclusion of other larger animals, such as llamas, to guard the flock.
- HEALTHY VETERINARY PRACTICES: Only certain kinds of medications and supplements can be used to treat the sheep. Alternative caring methods are preferred to keep sheep healthy with fewer chemicals.
- CHEMICAL CONTROL: Eco Wool opposes the use of herbicides and pesticides on fields that the sheep will be grazing in. We are able to determine if growers use these chemicals in our routine wool chemical testing.
- SPECIFICATIONS FOR BREED, COLOR, STRENGTH AND MICRON-WIDTH: The Woolgatherer Carding Mill blend uses wool from six to eight different breeds, depending on availability. Eco Wool does not allow black wool and very little canary yellow wool in the ECO WOOL blend.
- SKIRTING: Skirting is the process of removing less-desirable wool from the belly and back end of the sheep. This wool is separated on a skirting table and sold to other clients. In addition samples of wool are sent to two separate laboratories for chemical testing. A sample of the raw wool is sent to the University of Utah, and a sample of the batting is sent to Oeko-Tech Laboratory in Germany. The University of Mass-Lowell performed tests comparing Eco Wool batting to a competitor’Õs for strength, resilience, flammability, and endurance. Their tests demonstrated that a mattress made with ECO WOOL batting would last twice as long as the competitor’s before flattening on top.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Sustainable Textiles
Recycled plastic textiles offer an alternative to virgin synthetic materials, but they still have environmental downsides, including microplastic pollution and energy-intensive processing. Wool, on the other hand, is a renewable, biodegradable, and high-performance fiber that aligns with sustainable outdoor gear and clothing.
Lucky Sheep was way ahead of it’s time when we started eight years ago. These conversations and availability of natural fiber outdoor gear were virtually unknown and people looked at me like I was crazy to even suggest it. Now Lucky Sheep stands as a leader in the field of natural outdoor gear. Whether you’re outfitting for an adventure or seeking ethical fashion, wool remains one of the best choices for a sustainable wardrobe. We will continue to explore more products in addition to the current ones we have which are: wool sleeping bags, beeswax coated organic canvas backpacks and daypacks, wool sleeping pads, beeswax coated organic cotton parkas. We recommend the amazing gear over at Weatherwool, who makes high performance overcoats and pants for outdoor wear.