Recycled wool: production, benefits and differences from virgin wool
Recycled wool can be used to make new textiles from existing wool, such as production scraps, yarn or used clothing, depending on the recycling process. It can thus reduce the need for some virgin wool, but recycling it also has technical limitations. Production, benefits, limitations and differences from virgin wool: here is the essential information to know.
What is recycled wool?
Recycled wool is a fibre obtained by collecting materials containing wool and transforming them into a new textile material. The waste can come from different stages of the supply chain: production scraps and waste or used textiles.
It is important to check the exact composition of the finished product. A garment marketed as containing recycled wool may be made of 100% recycled fibres or combine them with virgin wool and other materials.
How is recycled wool made?
Mechanical recycling is one of the methods used. The process can involve several steps:
- collection and sorting of textile waste;
- sorting by composition and sometimes by colour;
- shredding or tearing to recover the fibres;
- preparation and blending of the fibres;
- spinning into new yarn;
- production of a new textile.
When textiles can be sorted by colour and reused in similar shades, some recycling processes can reduce the need for new dyeing operations. However, this depends on the product and the process.
Where does the wool used for recycling come from?
Waste is generally divided into pre-consumer waste, such as that from textile manufacturing, and post-consumer waste, which comes from products that have already been used.
The quality of the recovered fibres varies depending on their origin, length and condition. This quality directly affects how they can be reused.
What are the benefits of recycled wool?
Reusing a material that has already been produced
The main benefit is to make use of an existing textile resource instead of immediately treating it as waste.
Reducing the need for new fibres
When recycled wool replaces some of the virgin wool in a product, it can reduce the demand for new raw materials for that part of the composition.
Promoting circularity
The development of collection, sorting and recycling systems helps find solutions that keep textile materials in use for longer.
What are the limitations of recycled wool?
Mechanical recycling generally shortens the fibres. They can then become more difficult to spin on their own and may need to be blended with longer fibres, whether virgin or recycled.
Textiles made from several materials are also more difficult to recycle. A sweater combining wool, polyamide and elastane cannot necessarily be processed as easily as a single-material textile.
Finally, recycling also requires collection, sorting, processing and transport operations. Recycled wool should therefore not be considered an “impact-free” material.
Recycled wool or virgin wool: what is the difference?
Virgin wool refers to wool that has not previously been processed into a textile product and then recycled. Recycled wool, on the other hand, comes from an existing material that has been collected and reprocessed.
Virgin wool can offer longer fibres and certain desired performance characteristics. Recycled wool, meanwhile, allows an existing resource to be reused. Blends may combine these characteristics.
Is recycled wool environmentally friendly?
It can offer environmental benefits compared to using only new material, particularly when it makes use of waste and reduces the production of virgin fibres. However, its actual impact depends on the collection system, recycling process, energy used, fibre blends, garment manufacturing and its lifespan.
It is therefore more accurate to consider recycled content as one criterion among several rather than as a guarantee of overall environmental performance.
How can you identify a recycled wool garment?
Check the textile composition stated on the label or product page. This usually tells you the percentage of wool and, when provided, the recycled content.
Some products may also have a certification or traceability standard for recycled content. In this case, check exactly what the certification covers rather than relying solely on its logo.
How should you care for a recycled wool garment?
Care depends on the garment's full composition, not just on the recycled nature of the wool. Always follow the label.
For sweaters, see our detailed guide: how to wash and care for a wool sweater without shrinking it.
To discover other fibres, see our guide to textile materials. You can also learn more about merino wool or find recycled wool products available from NEIWA.
Frequently asked questions about recycled wool
Is recycled wool real wool?
Yes. The material comes from existing wool fibres that are collected and processed. However, the final product may also contain other fibres.
Can wool be recycled multiple times?
Mechanical recycling can gradually shorten the fibres, which may limit their ability to be re-spun on their own after several cycles. The possibilities therefore depend on the quality of the fibres and the technologies used.
Is recycled wool as warm as virgin wool?
A garment's level of insulation depends on many factors: composition, weight, yarn, knit, and construction. Whether it is recycled or virgin is not enough to determine how warm it is.
What is the difference between recycled wool and merino wool?
“Recycled” describes the material's origin, while “merino” refers to a type of wool from merino sheep. They are therefore two different characteristics.
To discover the available styles, see our selection of sweaters, knitwear and cardigans as well as Saint James.
