Vegan wool was designed to help reduce the apparel industry’s huge carbon footprint. The fabric is made entirely from plant sources, such as 30 percent calotropis and 70 percent organic cotton. Although it has all the same properties of traditional wool, it doesn’t come with any of the guilt. There are many environmental benefits to vegan wool. The material is sustainable from production to disposal; one kilogram of vegan wool saves 9,000 liters of drinking water (compared to production of 100 percent cotton yarn), and the fabric is built to last — it is unshrinkable with every wash and is generally more durable than non-vegan fabrics.
Vegan wool is not the most original fabric on the market, but it is unique in its efforts to be eco-friendly. The leftover materials from production are turned into a compound that can both nourish plants and repel insects. This complete use of resources eliminates waste. The desert plant, Calotropis, from which the vegan wool is sourced, flourishes in severe growing conditions where there’s no human intervention or need for water, fertilizers or pesticides. It grows wildly and abundantly in deserts and other arid climates found in Africa as well as several Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries. The hardy plant fibers have been likened to silk. However, the versatile flowering plant has other advantageous uses besides medicinal products–such as making carpets.
Women are the primary agricultural workers in vegan wool supply chains, which provides them with employment opportunities in regions where few other plants or crops can survive. This industry also strengthens rural economies by opening up a new agricultural market. The benefits of vegan wool go beyond just being environmentally friendly. The fabric is also biodegradable and doesn’t contain any of the harmful toxins or chemicals that are often found in other synthetic materials. Additionally, it’s hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin.
While vegan wool does have a lot of positive attributes, there are some drawbacks to consider as well. The fabric is more expensive than traditional wool and other synthetic fabrics, so it might not be the best choice for people on a budget. Additionally, because it’s still a relatively new fabric, it might be difficult to find products made from vegan wool. However, as the fabric becomes more popular, it’s likely that more companies will start to use it in their products. All things considered, vegan wool is a great choice for people who are looking for an environmentally friendly and sustainable fabric. It has many benefits that other fabrics don’t offer, making it a good choice for those who are looking to reduce their impact on the environment.
Fun facts
35% of US adults get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night.
Myth
Sleep is a passive activity.
For a long time sleep was considered as the body’s ‘down-time’ – an absence of consciousness. But sleep is very much an active state within the body and brain.
A complex sequence of events, which follows a regular, cyclical pattern every night. Although we remain still and inactive at night, there are numerous vital homeostatic processes going on that we’re unaware of.
Some brain activities, such as delta waves actually increase when we are asleep. Also sleep is a time when the endocrine system increases production of human growth hormone and prolactin, which is vital for a healthy immune system.
And let’s not forget our dreams. Far from being an escape into fantasy land, dreaming is thought to be vital for consolidating long term memories and building neural connections.