Sunday, July 1, 2018

Colombian Students Take Home Prize For Sustainable, Eco-Friendly 'Vegan Wool'

By Emily Court
Source: plantbasednews.org

The group rose to a challenge posed by PETA, Stella McCartney, and Stray Dog Capital

Sheep and the Wool Industry
The team is striving for a future where a future where 'no sheep is harmed to make a sweater' anymore

A team of students from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá have taken home the prize for best 'vegan wool' - in a challenge posed to them by PETA, Stray Dog Capital, and Stella McCartney.

The product

The wool alternative - dubbed 'Woocoa' -  is made from a combination of coconut fibers, hemp, and mushroom enzymes and is fit to be woven and dyed similarly to real wool.
PETA Director of Corporate Affairs Anne Brainard described the productas an 'eco-friendly, biofabricated material that will satisfy consumers' - noting that the product is not only good for sheep, but also the planet.
Stella McCartney, Miley Cyrus, Paris Jackson
Stella McCartney, pictured with animal advocate Miley Cyrus and model Paris Jackson, is a leader in sustainable luxury fashion (Photo: Facebook)

Sustainability

Woocoa team member Manuel Ortiz explained that the team drew from the use of over 114 plant fibers in Colombian artisanal crafts to develop their product.
He added that the coconut fiber used to make Woocoa would otherwise be an 'agricultural waste product' - making the product an eco-friendly solution to animal suffering.

Community benefits

Oritz explained how mass-production of Woocoa could benefit Colombian communities - noting that it 'generates job opportunities in Colombia and can help mitigate the environmental impact from the textile industry'.
He said also that 'hemp could be grown as a replacement of illegal crops on areas that were afflicted by the internal conflict with the rebel group FARC' - allowing this team, and Woocoa, to give back to the nation and its people.

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