Why British Wool Is a Sustainable Choice

April 28, 2025

Choosing products responsibly isn’t just a trend, it’s a commitment to a better planet and a healthier home. British wool has earned growing recognition among eco-conscious shoppers and sustainable living enthusiasts for its minimal environmental impact, excellent performance, and ethical sourcing.

If you’re a homeowner seeking to reduce your carbon footprint or a supporter of responsible UK farming, understanding why British wool stands out can help guide more sustainable choices for your home.

This article explores the environmental and ethical policies behind British wool, with a closer look at our commitment to sustainability. You’ll learn about the benefits of British wool’s local sourcing, its carbon footprint and lifecycle, and why these choices matter for anyone invested in a sustainable future.

The Ethics Behind British Wool Sourcing

Supporting British Farmers and Rural Communities

When you invest in British wool products, you directly support local farmers who uphold strict animal welfare and land management standards. British sheep are predominantly grass-fed across natural pastures, contributing to thriving ecosystems in rural areas. We prioritise ethical sourcing of British wool, ensuring that every purchase underpins transparent supply chains and fair compensation for farmers.

This ethical approach doesn’t only bolster the local economy, it also preserves the traditional skills and livelihoods tied to sheep farming. Buying British wool means backing thousands of farming families and protecting heritage practices for future generations.

Our Commitment to Responsible Sourcing

Putnams is transparent about their 100% British wool sourcing, favouring local suppliers wherever possible. Their wool products are traceable back to responsible British farms, meaning each item carries a provenance you can trust.

Ethical procurement at Putnams extends to frequent supplier checks and robust environmental criteria, making them a preferred option for conscientious shoppers.

Minimising Environmental Impact with Wool

Naturally Low Carbon Footprint

One of the most significant advantages of British wool is its impressive life-cycle sustainability.

Wool is a renewable resource, grown year after year by sheep grazing on rain-fed pastures. Unlike petroleum-based synthetic fibres, wool production relies on the natural carbon cycle. Sheep eat plants, plants absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and the wool grown by the sheep effectively locks carbon away for the lifetime of the product.

Research from the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) finds that wool typically has lower embodied carbon than oil-derived synthetics, especially when sourced and processed locally. Putnams amplifies this benefit by narrowing transport distances and reducing emissions throughout their supply chain.

Biodegradable & Circular by Nature

Wool’s environmental advantage doesn’t stop at production. When a British wool product reaches the end of its life, it naturally decomposes in soil within a few years, releasing valuable nutrients back into the earth. This stands in sharp contrast to synthetic materials, which can take centuries to break down and often leach harmful microplastics.

Putnams’ environmental policy ensures that all wool waste from manufacturing is either recycled into new products or composted. Our goal is to reduce landfill waste and champion a truly circular economy.

Energy Efficiency in Processing

Processing wool typically involves less energy than manufacturing synthetics. By working closely with UK-based mills, we ensure that our wool undergoes minimal, non-toxic processing.

Local production limits the carbon cost of transport and supports regional employment, amplifying social and ecological benefits.

Person showing the contents of a Putnams 100% Wool Pillow

The Longevity and Everyday Benefits of Wool Products

Durability Creates Sustainability

One of wool’s key assets is its long lifecycle.

Wool fibres can bend more than 20,000 times without breaking, far outlasting cotton or synthetic alternatives. Products like wool bedding, throws, and upholstery maintain their shape and effectiveness over years of regular use.

Putnams exemplifies this with their wool bedding, which is designed to withstand frequent washing and repeated use without pilling or losing comfort. A longer product life means fewer replacements, less waste, and a gentler impact on your wallet.

Health and Wellbeing in the Home

Wool has natural temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic properties. British wool bedding keeps you warm in winter, cool in summer, and comfortable all year round. Thus, it reduces the need for different bedding depending on the season.

Its naturally resistant structure protects against dust mites and bacteria, making it ideal for allergy sufferers and households seeking a cleaner, healthier sleeping environment.

Anecdotal feedback consistently highlights the improvement in sleep quality and reduction in allergic symptoms after switching to wool bedding.

Putnams’ Sustainable Policy in Practice

Provenance and Traceability

Every Putnams wool product is clearly labelled with its British origin. We operate a strict ethical sourcing policy, focusing on animal welfare, fair trade, and farming transparency. Our ongoing partnerships with UK wool producers mean that shoppers can be confident in the source and impact of every purchase.

Continuous Improvement

Putnams addresses the entire product lifecycle.

Our manufacturing facilities strive for energy-efficient production and responsible waste handling, actively seeking out new methods to reduce carbon use and enhance recyclability.

Customer feedback regularly influences our product development, and we respond quickly to sustainability suggestions and negative reviews in a transparent manner. We are continually looking at ways we can limit the impact of our business on the planet - Environmental Policy.

How British Wool Measures Up Against Synthetics

When compared to synthetic and imported alternatives, British wool offers:

Lower transport emissions due to local sourcing.
Natural biodegradability, avoiding landfill build-up and microplastics.
Longer lifespan, requiring fewer replacements.
Comfort and wellbeing benefits that promote a healthier indoor environment.
Support for local agriculture and sustainable communities.

These features combine to create a product that transcends simple homeware, fostering a stronger relationship between consumers, their home, and their environment.

Making Sustainable Choices with Confidence

Sustainable living isn’t about a single purchase; it’s about aligning your everyday choices with the wellbeing of people and planet.

By opting for products made with British wool, especially brands like us at Putnams, who champion ethical sourcing and robust environmental policies, you can make a tangible difference.

If you’re considering a switch in your next bedding, look for the British wool label that appears throughout our organic British wool range. Your support not only delivers returns in comfort and quality, it also enables ongoing investment into greener farming and production processes across the UK.

Take the Next Step Toward a Greener Home

Supporting the sustainable future of British agriculture and making environmentally sound choices is within your reach. Start with your next purchase by prioritising British wool, and consider exploring Putnams’ collection for high-quality, ethically sourced products that benefit both your home and the environment.

Natural 100% British Wool Mattress Topper - My sleep score has improved since I had this topper and I am feeling regularly better rested. Research shows sleep is responsible for so much of your health and I know I am setting myself up to win with this topper. - Tim C

Check out our full 100% British Wool Range.