Sustainable

Sustainable. Wool is the only widely available carpet fibre not made from Oil. New Zealand wool is naturally renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and sustainable.

Renewable. Wool is the ultimate renewable fibre – it grows continuously on a sheep’s back all year round. During summer, the wool from New Zealand sheep is removed (sheared) by skilled craftsmen and the sheep return to their pasture.

At the end of its useful life, the pile from wool carpet can be returned to the ground, where the nutrients released as it decomposes promote further grass growth, and the natural production cycle starts all over again.

Biodegradable. Under the right conditions, wool is totally biodegradable.  Wool is made up of natural amino acid chains, which are often referred to as “the building blocks of life”.

As wool bio-degrades, rich, essential plant nutrients are released such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. Even if a wool carpet is placed in landfill, it will decompose leaving no harmful residues.

Recycle. Wool carpets can be recycled at the end of their useful life in a number of interesting ways. Wool carpets are naturally durable so they can be reformed and re-used as decorative area rugs. Wool pile from old carpets, along with waste wool from the manufacturing process, can be used in environmentally-friendly insulation products. Discarded wool carpet can be cut into strips and used to protect newly planted trees and to prevent soil erosion and soil loss. The slow breakdown of wool provides rich nutrients and mulch to nourish the saplings and promote faster growth.

Energy Efficient. Wool requires very small amounts of energy to produce, about 1/8th of that required for Nylon. Wool carpet reduces heating energy requirements by preventing heat loss.

In summer, a wool carpet prevents heat rising through the floor and keeps your room cool and comfortable.

Farming Standards. New Zealand sheep farming is recognised for its world-leading standards of farming integrity. Sheep are often raised on land not suited to other agricultural uses which allows for efficient soil management and natural free-range grazing. Scientific land management and flock rotation ensure that the land will continue to produce high quality wool for generations to come.

Life Cycle Analysis. Unlike synthetics, the carbon footprint of wool carpet is barely discernible. Sheep convert nature’s raw materials into a unique fibre that is ideally suited for carpet. The main source of energy is sunlight to make grass grow. New Zealand is a signatory to the Kyoto protocol on global warming and has embarked on initiatives to reduce greenhouse gasses. Wool retains its good looks longer, reducing the need for wasteful, premature replacement. Over its lifetime, wool will save energy on heating and cooling. Chemical emissions from carpet cleaning are up to 5 times lower than hard floors.

Ethical

Ethical. Sheep in New Zealand have an average of at least 1/3 of a football field per sheep to graze free-range in their natural environment.

Farming Practices. New Zealand agriculture operates under a range of regulations and voluntary codes that ensure very high standards of environmental protection, sustainability, animal welfare and social responsibility.

In New Zealand, sheep farms are generally family-owned, with farming knowledge and passion for the land passing from generation to generation. New Zealand farmers access to specialised agricultural education and world-leading research, ensuring continuous improvement in environmental management and animal care.

Animal Welfare. New Zealand sheep enjoy the protection of a wide range of laws and regulations regarding safety, health and general well-being.

New Zealand’s climate is mild and sheep graze free-range in open pasture all year round. Trees and shrubs provide safe shelter.

Removing the wool from the sheep (shearing), which is done by highly skilled craftsman, is pain free and takes just a few minutes. New Zealand leads the world in shearing technique and ability, ensuring minimal stress on the animal (and shearer) throughout.

Farmers understand that well-treated sheep grow better wool so they make sure their flocks are well looked after.

Traceable

Traceable. 90% of wool grown in New Zealand is exported. The wool in a Laneve branded carpet is traceable back to the farm it came from.

Laneve is a mark of wool integrity based on ethical values and sustainability. Laneve wool is independently verified as sustainably produced and traceable to source.

In addition to complying with wools of New Zealand’s specifications, Laneve branded carpets and rugs are made by licenced partners from 100% Laneve wool supplied through Wools of New Zealand’s fully integrated supply chain.

Wools of New Zealand is a premium brand identifying products manufactured by licenced partners which meet stringent quality and New Zealand wool content criteria. The wools of New Zealand quality requirements include having a minimum of 80% of wool, at least 60% of which is from New Zealand and meeting key performance tests.

Wools of New Zealand branded products undergo a series of tests to ensure they will perform in-situ. Key performance attributes tested include durability, appearance retention and colour fastness.

Traceable to Farm. Wools of New Zealand operate a system of traceability throughout the supply chain.

If the carpet or rug is branded Laneve, the sustainability and traceability of the wool will be fully documented and independently verified to the highest level possible.

Pure New Zealand

Pure New Zealand. New Zealand’s two biggest export industries, tourism and agricultural products, rely on the protection of the natural landscape and environmental beauty.

Heritage. New Zealand is a relatively young country, with a strong, agriculture-based economy. Right from the start, sheep have played a major role in New Zealand’s economy.

Sheep out-number people 10:1, and the iconic New Zealand landscape is one of green pasture dotted with white woolly sheep and frolicking lambs. Beautiful New Zealand wool is a true reflection of passion and commitment to the land and respect for the environment.

Provenance.  New Zealand sheep have been carefully selected and bred to be the perfect for New Zealand conditions and to maximise the wool qualities for your carpet. New Zealand is the world’s largest exporter of carpet wool and is globally recognised for the excellent, consistent quality of that wool – clean, white, strong, durable and resilient.