EthEco® wool is used exclusively in LIFE Textiles® and is sourced from non-mulesed sheep raised on holistically-managed farms, improving animal welfare, human health and environmental care. The benefits of EthEco® wool include:

IMPROVED ANIMAL WELFARE
No Mulesing and Reduced Pesticide Use: EthEco® wool is sourced from farms that have ceased mulesing, which is the practice of removing skin from a sheep's hindquarters. Most Merino sheep in Australia are mulesed and without it, these sheep are highly susceptible to flystrike. INSTYLE sources from specialised Merino sheep that, unlike traditional merinos, are free of skin wrinkling and naturally resistant to flystrike, therefore mulesing and insecticidal treatments are generally not required. The absence of skin wrinkles means that the sheep can be easily shorn without inflicting shearing wounds. EthEco® wool is sourced from sheep that are naturally resistant to pests, reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides. EthEco® wool contains zero or negligible pesticide residues and meets the EU Flower ecolabel requirements.

IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Traditional farming methods can degrade the environment. However all EthEco® wool farms employ holistic farming methods such as reducing pesticides, fertilisers and herbicides to regenerate and improve the land. This can assist in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and increases biodiversity.

IMPROVED HUMAN HEALTH
Reduced Human Health Risk and Improved Quality of Life: Eliminating or reducing fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides lowers the exposure of hazardous chemicals to the growers, their families and their workers, while holistic farming improves their quality of life.

See how EthEco® wool farms are managed with minimal environmental impact in our FARM TO FABRIC Traceability Program.