Pure Eco Reversible Baby Alpaca Throw by Tuwi

The eco-friendly credentials of alpaca

Did you know alpacas come in 22 different colours? From white to fawn through to black and every shade in between. We celebrate these natural shades in our collection, with a number of pieces remaining undyed and using what nature has provided. As an added bonus, an undyed product uses on average 53 litres less water than a dyed product – not to mention the lack of chemicals needed for dyeing yarn. But when it comes to green credentials, that’s not all. Alpacas are famously kinder to the planet than many of their fleece-giving counterparts for a whole host of reasons.

They have soft pads on their feet rather than hooves and they prefer to graze on a variety of plants and grasses, nibbling only the shoots without disrupting root systems. Sheep and goats tug at roots and can destroy vast swathes of natural pasture, taking years for it to re-establish.

Alpacas are also wonderfully efficient creatures. They require much less food intake than most other fibre-producing livestock. Cashmere goats, for example, require at least twice the amount of dry grass that alpacas need in order to produce 1 kg of fleece.

Compared to other animal fibres, alpaca fibre has a low grease content which means much less energy and chemicals are required to treat the water used for its washing process.

What’s more, the natural habitat of alpacas is about 3,800 metres above sea level. At this altitude, the water supply is natural and the land is generally not suitable for
agriculture. Ultimately, this means they don’t use land or water that is destined for food production.

Here at Tuwi, our mission is to encourage and support the use of more sustainable pieces within the home. If you’re considering a new throw or cushion for your home, or a baby blanket as a gift for a friend, look to the eco-friendly alpaca. Start by browsing our beautiful undyed collection here…

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