Fabric
Merino Wool
Australia and New Zealand flocks
Impact score
54/ 100
Moderate
A blended indicator of water, carbon, chemical load, durability and recyclability.
Measured impact per kg of fibre
Water footprint7,200 L / kg
Carbon footprint27 kg CO₂e / kg
Process energy71 MJ / kg
Microfibre sheddingLow shedding
BiodegradableYes
Durability15 years typical wear
Recyclability55 / 100
Data confidence
mediumMedium confidence — published ranges vary by region and process
Sources: IWTO LCA 2022 · Responsible Wool Standard 2023
Figures are cradle-to-gate averages per kilogram of fibre or fabric, not measurements of your specific garment. A typical adult shirt weighs roughly 0.2 kg.
Qualitative ratings
Water useModerate
Carbon footprintHigh
Chemical loadModerate
DurabilityVery high
RecyclabilityModerate
What is it
A fine-micron wool prized for next-to-skin softness and odour resistance.
Why it matters
Same methane burden as wool with higher processing intensity, offset by very long wear life.
Water Carbon Chemicals End of life
What you can do
Look for mulesing-free and RWS-certified clips; wash rarely and cold.