New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool vs Recycled Wool in the Garden: What Gardeners Need to Know
As wool becomes more popular in gardening, not all wool products are created equal. One of the most important distinctions gardeners should understand is the difference between New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool and recycled wool, particularly when it comes to soil health, plant safety, and long-term results.
At Sustaina Grow, we use New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool, including wool bellies and offcut pieces, that are specifically selected for garden use. These are parts of the fleece that are often overlooked by the textile industry but are ideal for soil applications.
What Is Recycled Wool?
Recycled wool is typically made from:
- Old clothing
-Carpet offcuts
-Textile waste
- Mixed-fibre materials
While recycling textiles can be useful in some industries, recycled wool is not designed for soil or food-growing environments.
Recycled wool products may contain:
-Synthetic fibres blended with wool
-Chemical dyes and colourants
-Finishing agents and textile treatments
-Residual detergents or processing chemicals
These materials are not designed to break down in living soil systems.
Why New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool Is Better for the Garden
1. Purity Matters in Soil
Soil is a living system. Anything added to it will eventually interact with plant roots, microbes, and water movement.
New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool, including bellies and fleece offcuts, is clean, untreated, and predictable. It breaks down slowly and naturally, releasing nutrients without introducing unknown substances.
Recycled wool, particularly grey or coloured wool, may contain residues that are not suitable for food gardens or long-term soil health.
2. White Wool Indicates Clean Fibre
New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool is naturally white, not grey or coloured.
White wool indicates:
-No textile dyes
-No blended fibres
-No post-consumer processing
-No unknown chemical history
The bellies and pieces used by Sustaina Grow come directly from the fleece and retain these natural qualities, even though they are not used in clothing or carpet production.
3. Nutrient Release Works Best with New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool
New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool naturally contains nitrogen, sulphur, and trace nutrients locked into the fibre structure.
These nutrients are released slowly as the wool breaks down in soil. Bellies and offcuts are particularly effective because they have not been heavily processed or washed, allowing nutrients to remain intact.
Recycled wool may have already lost some of these properties through repeated processing cycles.
4. Moisture Retention and Soil Structure
The fibre structure of New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool, including bellies and offcuts, allows it to:
-Absorb and retain moisture
-Release water gradually back into the soil
-Improve aeration as it decomposes
Recycled wool fibres may be shortened, damaged, or blended with synthetics, reducing these natural benefits.
Why Garden Wool Should Be Purpose-Made
Wool used in gardens should be:
-Selected specifically for soil use
-Undyed and untreated
-Traceable in origin
-Fully biodegradable
By using bellies and offcuts, New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool ensures these valuable fibres are returned to the soil rather than wasted, while remaining purpose-fit for gardening.
Sustainability Is More Than Recycling
While recycling has its place, sustainability in gardening is about suitability and long-term outcomes.
Using New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool, including bellies and fleece pieces:
-Supports natural nutrient cycling
-Makes use of underutilised wool components
-Improves soil over multiple seasons
-Avoids introducing unknown substances into soil
Sustainability is about using the right material in the right system.
Choosing the Right Wool for Your Garden
If you are considering wool for your garden, ask:
-Is it New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool or recycled textile wool?
-Is it undyed and untreated?
-Is the source transparent and traceable?
If those answers are unclear, the wool may not be suitable for long-term soil health.
Why Sustaina Grow Uses New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool
At Sustaina Grow, we use New Wool / Sustaina Grow Wool, including fleece bellies and offcut pieces, because it delivers consistent results, protects soil biology, and aligns with regenerative growing principles.
Healthy soil is built intentionally. What you put into it matters.
