Woolpan Clothing: Ethical and Sustainable Merino Wool Fashion
Posted by Ruben Wattel on 19.09.22
Woolpan clothing has rapidly grown in popularity, which is understandable since the clothing is made from 100% merino wool of top quality. However, with many merino wool garments, it's unclear where the wool comes from and under what conditions it was obtained. The makers of Woolpan, on the other hand, are more than happy to provide answers, which you can find on this page.
What is Woolpan?
Woolpan is a relatively new brand in sports leisure clothing. You choose Woolpan when you want clothing without compromises, made from 100% ZQ merino wool. The result: clothing that feels like a blanket of comfort. Curious about all the benefits of merino wool? Check out our blog on the advantages of merino wool.
What is ZQ Merino Wool?
This means that the sheep are well-treated. The farmers rely on their animals for their livelihood, so it is vital that they take the best possible care of their livestock. Healthy, happy sheep produce the best fibers. ZQ sheep graze in some of the world's most beautiful and remote grassland areas and can roam freely all year round.
The shepherds must meet the following five requirements before they can supply wool to ZQ:
- The sheep do not suffer from hunger or thirst
- The sheep do not experience pain or stress
- The sheep do not suffer from diseases or injuries
- The sheep do not experience discomfort or substandard shelter
- The sheep can exhibit natural behaviors
The shearing process is not painful for the sheep; you can compare it to getting a haircut at the barber. The timing of the year is considered so that the sheep have enough wool to stay warm in the winter.
No Mulesing
The wool used by Woolpan is free from mulesing. In New Zealand, it is illegal to use this technique. Sheep farmers use other, animal-friendly methods to manage the risk of flystrike without mulesing.
A sheep defecates and urinates, which attracts flies. These flies lay eggs in the skin folds around the sheep's rear end. The larvae that emerge can cause infections in the sheep, leading to diseases and even death. Many Australian farmers, therefore, practice mulesing, which involves cutting away the skin around the sheep's rear end, often without anesthesia. Woolpan is 100% mulesing-free.
From Wool to Fabric and Clothing
Wool is not yet a fabric from which clothes can be made. The wool must be spun, and then the fabric must be turned into a piece of clothing. Throughout this process, environmental considerations and ethical practices are applied.
Woolpan Endless Program
The sustainability philosophy behind Woolpan has another aspect: if the clothing is damaged or you’ve grown tired of it, you can return it to FuturumShop free of charge. The returned clothing is then included in the Endless program.