Wool vs Acrylic Yarn: Which Is Better for the Environment?

Wool and acrylic are both familiar, but they come with very different environmental trade-offs and characteristics.

Wool and acrylic are two of the most common yarn choices for knitters and crocheters.

Wool is warm, elastic, breathable and traditional, and there are lots of types, made from different breeds of sheep, with different textures and properties and suited to different uses. Acrylic is widely available, often colourful, marketed as being machine-washable (which a lot of wool is too) and often found very cheaply in shops.

So which is better for the environment?

The answer is not quite as simple as natural equals good and synthetic equals bad. There are environmental considerations for each. If we look at the full lifecycle, there are some very important differences.

In our post Is wool yarn sustainable? we talked about wool production and the environmental issues associated with it. So, now let’s examine acrylic yarn in a bit more detail.

What Is Acrylic Yarn Made From?

Acrylic yarn is a synthetic fibre made from petrochemicals. In other words, it comes from fossil fuels. Basically, it’s plastic.

This matters because the carbon associated with acrylic is fossil carbon. This is carbon that was previously locked underground and is now being brought into the atmosphere through extraction, processing and manufacturing.

As we discussed in our previous post, the fossil carbon cycle is entirely different from the biogenic carbon cycle that wool is a part of. Acrylic is sometimes presented as having a lower carbon footprint than wool in simple comparisons, but that does not tell the whole story. The climate impact of acrylic is linked to the fossil fuel system, and that has long-term consequences for the planet.

Microplastics: The Hidden Problem with Acrylic

One of the biggest environmental concerns with acrylic yarn is microplastic shedding.

When synthetic fibres are washed, tiny plastic fibres break off and enter the wastewater. Some are captured by treatment plants, but many eventually make their way into rivers, oceans and soils. Studies have shown that acrylic fabrics shed hundreds of thousands of microfibres in a single wash.

Since acrylic is a plastic-based material, it does not biodegrade like wool. Once these microscopic fibres enter the environment, they can remain there for centuries. Their physical presence is only part of the problem, as these fibres also leach harmful chemicals into the water, attract and store environmental toxins, and serve as "rafts"for pathogens. None of these issues are associated with pure wool.

Although wool does shed, its fibres are naturally biodegradable. In contrast acrylic fibres represent a permanent source of pollution.

End-of-Life: What Happens When We Are Done?

Every yarn eventually reaches the end of its life.

A wool garment might be repaired, unravelled, reused, recycled, felted into something else or eventually composted under the right conditions.

Acrylic is much harder to deal with. It cannot be composted. It does not meaningfully biodegrade. Recycling acrylic textiles is possible in theory in some specialist systems, but it is not widely available for most ordinary knitters. Indeed, many rag recyclers are no longer accepting garments at the end of their lives.

Thus, most acrylic items eventually end up in landfill, where they will remain indefinitely.

Durability and Use

This is where things get somewhat more nuanced.

Acrylic is durable in some very specific ways. It is, generally, machine washable, moth-resistant and considered easy to care for. For children’s items, charity knitting, blankets, budget-sensitive projects or items that need frequent washing, acrylic is often considered a highly practical choice. I would, however, note that it doesn't hold its shape well with repeated washing.

It is important to acknowledge these characteristics. Sustainability is not only about fibre type. A yarn that allows someone to make, mend, gift, learn or stay warm has value, even though that comes at a cost in other respects.

Wool has a different kind of durability. A good wool garment can last for many years. Wool is naturally elastic, so it holds shape well. It naturally resists odour, so it needs far less frequent washing. It can also be repaired beautifully. If a wool jumper is worn for twenty years, its environmental impact per wear becomes incredibly low.

Cost and Accessibility Matter

It would be unfair to talk about wool and acrylic without mentioning price.

Acrylic is often (but not always) much cheaper, and for many makers that is the key consideration. Not everyone can afford wool for every project. Not everyone can wear wool comfortably (a subject we'll be discussing in a future post). Some people avoid animal fibres for ethical, religious, sensory or allergy-related reasons.

This series is not about making anyone feel guilty - it's about allowing you to make informed decisions. Acrylic has made knitting and crochet accessible to millions of people, and it has a place.

However, if budget, comfort and project needs allow, wool generally has significant environmental advantages over acrylic. It is renewable, biodegradable, longer-lasting, repairable and free from plastic microfibre pollution.

Practical Tips If You Use Acrylic

If you do use acrylic, there are ways to reduce your impact:

• Choose projects that will be used for a long time.

• Wash items only when absolutely needed.

• Use a microfibre-catching laundry bag or filter if possible.

• Avoid treating acrylic projects as disposable.

• Use up stash yarn rather than buying new unnecessarily.

• Buy pre-loved/de-stash yarn from us in the shop or look out for it in charity and second hand shops.

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Sustainability is not about perfection. It is about knowledge, thoughtfulness and making better decisions where possible. The wool vs acrylic yarn choice is a classic situation where knowledge will help you make the right decision for you.