Woolmark Adds New Stamp of Approval for Recycled Wool

The Woolmark Co. is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year with a new certification program for recycled wool.

The company on Tuesday announced the introduction of a Recycled Wool specification that will see the iconic mark applied to recycled fibers for the first time.

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To receive the certification, a product must contain at least 20 percent recycled wool and also meet the Woolmark Certification Program’s quality standards.

“Wool is the most recycled apparel fiber globally,” said John Roberts, managing director of the Woolmark Company. “Our new Recycled Wool mark supports the shift from a linear to a circular production model, reducing waste and pollution.”

Woolmark’s Recycled Wool sub-brand under the new “RW-1 Specification” represents a significant step towards a more sustainable textile industry, Woolmark said, adding that the initiative is in alignment with regulatory pressures in the industry to adopt more sustainable practices. The new sub-brand is also an indication of Woolmark’s commitment to advancing circularity.

Currently, “Wool accounts for only 1 percent of the apparel fiber market,” Roberts said. He noted that creation of the sub-brand could help advance wool for use in new categories while promoting lengthening of its lifecycle through reuse and recycling.

Recycled wool can be derived from pre-consumer sources, such as fabric cutting waste, as well as from post-consumer sources, such as used and discarded apparel items. Certifications from the Global Recycled Standard and Recycled Claim Standard exist for pre-owned products across the board. Woolmark’s certification program includes apparel, fabrics, yarns and home care products.

Woolmark is a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation, which touts itself as the global authority on wool. There are currently three main logos: Woolmark for 100 pure new wool, Woolmark Blend for 50 percent to 99.9 percent new wool, and Wool Blend for 30 percent to 49.9 percent new wool.