Polyester Fiber
Greenwashing is a term increasingly used in the oudoor industry to describe the unjustified appropriation of environmental virtue by a company, an industry, a government, a politician or even a non-government organization to create a pro-environmental image, sell a product or a policy, or to try and rehabilitate their standing with the public and decision makers after being embroiled in controversy. Corp-Watch defines greenwash as “the phenomena of socially and environmentally destructive corporations, attempting to preserve and expand their markets or power by posing as friends of the environment.”
Runners make natural environmentalists. Runners were quick to become aware of sustainability issues, and are just as quick to identify complications with the arguments. I give one example today: the debate over the use of sustainable materials in running apparel. Most technical clothing is manufactured from polyester, nylon, and lycra blends. These synthetic fibers are formed by extruding filaments from a chemical emulsion, spawning environmental concerns. But because the fibers are smooth, they are generally soft to the touch.
Wool Fiber
Merino wool, on the other hand, is a natural fiber with good moisture and thermal regulating properties. And it is environmentally friendly. The problem is that it is still somewhat scratchy to the touch because the fiber has scales. The wool is washed (scoured) to remove grease (unrefined lanolin), vegetable matter and other impurities which gather in the wool from the range, feedlot, or shearing floor. A set of rakes moves the fleece through a series of scouring tubs of soap and water. Impurities can weigh from 30 to 70 percent of raw (unscoured) fleece. The washing solution make it soft to the touch but spawns environmental concerns.
What is the right thing for the planet? I don’t pretend to know the answer, but I know that being a runner will help me think about these questions carefully and discuss them with customers thoughtfully.
