INHFA: Increasing wool use would reduce textile waste
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA) has said the increased use of wool is "an obvious solution in reducing textile waste".
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for the circular economy, Alan Dillon recently launched a public consultation focused on circular textiles.
The minister said that the policy statement and roadmap "contains wide-ranging proposals to tackle fast fashion and the environmental degradation caused by textile waste, informed by key stakeholders across the textile value chain".
"These include measures to promote circular design to make textiles last longer, to make them easier to reuse, repair and recycle, alongside better labelling through mandatory EU laws on eco-design.
"It will ensure that textile products entering the EU market are designed, from the outset, to minimise waste and maximise sustainability," he said.
However, national chair of the INHFA, Pheilim Molloy has encouraged Minister Dillion and his officials to rethink the current strategy.
“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 a major polluter in the global economy while in Ireland 65% of used textiles are either landfilled or incinerated," he said.
"These end of use options are 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," Molloy added.
The INHFA chair said that wool is a renewable fibre obtained from sheep, allowing for continuous production without depleting finite resources.
He noted that wool garments are warm, durable and long-lasting, encouraging reuse and reducing the frequency of disposal and replacement.
Wool can be mechanically recycled into new fibres or felted products, supporting closed-loop recycling systems, he added.
"When sourced sustainably, wool production has a lower environmental footprint compared to synthetic fibers, especially when considering biodegradability and renewability.
"Wool production can incorporate ethical animal husbandry and sustainable grazing practices, aligning with circular economy principles," he said.
“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," Molloy added.
