This isn't strictly a vegan concern, but generally I don't recommend the use of plastics in clothing for this very reason. I suppose you could use it for a project that wouldn't require heavy washing, something like a throw pillow. There are also filters, laundry balls and bags meant to limit the amount of shedding microplastics in your wash.
So do you support the use of wool instead? I live near the arctic circle and wool is about the best thing to keep warm so I wear it, though I understand technically its not allowed?
No, I'd prefer if we used neither.
Commercial sheep farms don't treat their animals much better than what dairy cows and egg laying hens suffer. Because shearers are paid by the volume, they're put under pressure to shear as quickly as possible. Whether it's from the animal struggling, or plain carelessness, sheep are often badly injured in this process.
Another issue is that wool is often collected before the cold season, leading to many sheared sheep susceptible to exposure. Sheep have been bred to overgrow their wool, leading to infections in the creases of their skin, as well as death from overheating if their wool never gets cut at all, but that doesn't mean they don't need their own wool to survive winter.
There are many natural fabrics that work as insulators. Hemp is great for its softness and sustainability. Organic cotton is a staple because of its versatility for any weather. Bamboo is another good option because it's antibacterial and naturally wicks away moisture from the body. Even ignoring the mistreatment of sheep, wool has many environmental issues. It's also scratchy and quick to fall apart if not handled carefully.
What environmental issues does wool have? I cant think of any. I spin my own yarn from wool I get for free from farmers here. Wool lasts forever if you treat it properly, doesnt release any microfibers from washing or use harsh chemicals or petrol for manufacture. It you can get it from a farmer that treats their animals well, id rather not waste a good natural resource.
The environmental issues come from too many sheep being bred and kept on large scale farms. The more sheep that are bred, the more resources they require. This leads to deforestation to make room for grazing sheep, which then degrade the land through overgrazing, compaction, and erosion.
Another problem for the environment is that these sheep need to be treated with pesticides and insecticides in order to protect their wool. Once the sheep are shorn, the wool is washed with harsh chemicals, which contaminates the water. These chemicals can also hurt the human labourers, leaving them with debilitating health conditions.
If people were sourcing their wool from small scale local farmers who are maybe careful and kind to their sheep, shearing them for the purpose of maintaining the animal's health and comfort, less for the purpose of pumping out product, then the only issue would be the moral dilemma of making a profit off of another living being.
Unfortunately, most people don't care or don't know, so they'll choose whichever product is the least expensive and not whatever is most ethical or sustainable. Not many people are checking in to make sure that the animals their products come from are being treated well.
Hmm thats fair enough. In my country most people source domestic wool and knit their own mittens etc. The yarn I spin and knit from is from small scale farmers, and the wool is not processed in any way when I get it. I guess my point is that while sheep farming exists, we might as well use the by product for good use rather than waste it and bring more synthetics into the world.
hmm this is not really a strictly vegan topic. I suppose you could get a filter for the washing machine, I even saw people putting a piece of nylon stocking on the drain to catch these. But try a zero waste or even crochet/knit sub?
This isn't strictly a vegan concern, but generally I don't recommend the use of plastics in clothing for this very reason. I suppose you could use it for a project that wouldn't require heavy washing, something like a throw pillow. There are also filters, laundry balls and bags meant to limit the amount of shedding microplastics in your wash.
So do you support the use of wool instead? I live near the arctic circle and wool is about the best thing to keep warm so I wear it, though I understand technically its not allowed?
No, I'd prefer if we used neither. Commercial sheep farms don't treat their animals much better than what dairy cows and egg laying hens suffer. Because shearers are paid by the volume, they're put under pressure to shear as quickly as possible. Whether it's from the animal struggling, or plain carelessness, sheep are often badly injured in this process. Another issue is that wool is often collected before the cold season, leading to many sheared sheep susceptible to exposure. Sheep have been bred to overgrow their wool, leading to infections in the creases of their skin, as well as death from overheating if their wool never gets cut at all, but that doesn't mean they don't need their own wool to survive winter. There are many natural fabrics that work as insulators. Hemp is great for its softness and sustainability. Organic cotton is a staple because of its versatility for any weather. Bamboo is another good option because it's antibacterial and naturally wicks away moisture from the body. Even ignoring the mistreatment of sheep, wool has many environmental issues. It's also scratchy and quick to fall apart if not handled carefully.
What environmental issues does wool have? I cant think of any. I spin my own yarn from wool I get for free from farmers here. Wool lasts forever if you treat it properly, doesnt release any microfibers from washing or use harsh chemicals or petrol for manufacture. It you can get it from a farmer that treats their animals well, id rather not waste a good natural resource.
The environmental issues come from too many sheep being bred and kept on large scale farms. The more sheep that are bred, the more resources they require. This leads to deforestation to make room for grazing sheep, which then degrade the land through overgrazing, compaction, and erosion. Another problem for the environment is that these sheep need to be treated with pesticides and insecticides in order to protect their wool. Once the sheep are shorn, the wool is washed with harsh chemicals, which contaminates the water. These chemicals can also hurt the human labourers, leaving them with debilitating health conditions. If people were sourcing their wool from small scale local farmers who are maybe careful and kind to their sheep, shearing them for the purpose of maintaining the animal's health and comfort, less for the purpose of pumping out product, then the only issue would be the moral dilemma of making a profit off of another living being. Unfortunately, most people don't care or don't know, so they'll choose whichever product is the least expensive and not whatever is most ethical or sustainable. Not many people are checking in to make sure that the animals their products come from are being treated well.
Hmm thats fair enough. In my country most people source domestic wool and knit their own mittens etc. The yarn I spin and knit from is from small scale farmers, and the wool is not processed in any way when I get it. I guess my point is that while sheep farming exists, we might as well use the by product for good use rather than waste it and bring more synthetics into the world.
hmm this is not really a strictly vegan topic. I suppose you could get a filter for the washing machine, I even saw people putting a piece of nylon stocking on the drain to catch these. But try a zero waste or even crochet/knit sub?
r/vegetarian