Why is Alpaca the Most Sustainable Natural Fiber? - Alpacas of Montana

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Why is Alpaca the Most Sustainable Natural Fiber?

  • 2 min read

1. Merino Wool and Superwashing

Merino Wool requires superwashing -- a chemical acid bath that the fiber goes through -- to remove the barbs on the fibers so the products are comfortable to wear. These toxins often then get released into the environment. 

2. Polyester and Microplastics

Polyester often can release microplastics into the environment. Excessive chemical processing and microplastic leeching are associated with the production of Polyester causing environmental issues and harm.

3. Cotton and Excessive Water Use

It takes roughly 3,800 liters of water to produce enough Cotton for one pair of jeans and one t-shirt. Not to mention traditional Cotton production uses high volumes of pesticides and is a mono-crop that takes over precious natural spaces.

Alpacas and the Environment

Soft Feet: Alpaca have padded feet, rather than hard hooves. This means they have a reduced hoof ground pressure (a measure of the pressure exerted on the ground by the animal's feet) than sheep and helps to prevent them from trampling plants and eroding fragile mountainside soil.

No Harsh Chemicals: Our fiber doesn't require any treatment or processing. We rinse the fleece with small amounts of water and an eco-friendly soap to remove any organic matter and that's it. We also don't use any toxic chemicals or dyes to color our products.
Grazing and Plant Regrowth: Alpacas only eat what they need and consume about 1/3 of the amount of food per day that sheep do. They also don't pull up any roots of the plants they eat -- they only nibble off the top -- promoting plant regrowth.
Excellent Fertilizer: Alpacas produce some of the richest fertilizer known to humans. It is extremely nutrient dense and is easy to collect as alpaca tend to defecate in one spot.

 

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