Wool scouring is the process of washing wool to remove dirt, grease (lanolin), sweat, and other impurities.

Wool scouring is energy and resource intensive; often involving several rinsing stages and utilising detergents and chemicals, to properly prepare the wool for further processing (usually into textiles like carpet and insulation). It can also generate a significant amount of wastewater containing grease, pesticides, dirt and cleaning products. If not properly treated, this can pollute our waterways.

Eco Choice Aotearoa’s standard provides a framework to minimise these impacts. It also promotes safer working conditions within the industry, and requires applicants to track and report on their annual emissions, waste, water and energy usage,