Wool is a versatile, renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable fiber that naturally regulates temperature, repels water, and neutralizes odor. Despite its desirable attributes and inherent sustainability as a natural material, many wool textiles are produced through carbon and water-intensive production processes. The industrialized production of wool also produces massive amounts of methane and results in soil degradation and the compromised health of regional ecologies.

It’s crucial to consider how production processes for raw wool can be designed to align with principles of circular economy and regenerative grazing, and to support existing sustainable, regional wool producers.

Regenerative grazing is an adaptive land-management practice that mimics evolutionary herd grazing patterns. It’s principles work to support resilient, biodiverse ecological systems by increasing the health and abundance of soil microorganisms, by improving soil's water holding capacity, and by increasing soil’s ability to act as a carbon sink. When employed to manage sheep herds for fiber production, regenerative grazing practices have to potential to produce high-quality raw wool while improving quality of life for animals, sequestering atmospheric carbon, restoring native grasslands, and reducing fire fuel loads. 

 As designers, we can choose to source raw wool from small-scale producers that utilize one or multiple regenerative grazing practices. By utilizing natural, inherently circular materials produced with ecologically sound practices, we can design high-quality, natural products that are truly ‘sustainable’ and ‘climate beneficial.’