Advancing Progress: PETA Will Award $1 Million to the Winner of the First Vegan Alternative to Sheep’s Wool - The Scene

“Among animals, sheep are second only to cows when it comes to the production of the greenhouse gas methane,” PETA says.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will award $1 million to their Vegan Wool Challenge winner. They call on designers and researchers to develop a vegan alternative to sheep’s wool with a lower environmental impact.

The organization has gathered videos in 14 exposés of 117 wool operations on four continents. In the process of harvesting wool for coats, hats, and other garments, sheep are seen beaten, stomped on, kicked, and mutilated. 

READ ALSO: Making The Switch: Dolce & Gabbana Goes Fur Free, Joining Multiple Other Houses

“Among animals, sheep are second only to cows when it comes to the production of the greenhouse gas methane,” PETA wrote in the contest announcement. “The huge flocks of sheep bred in the wool industry produce enormous amounts of manure, which pollutes the water, land, and air. Sheep farming can have detrimental effects on surrounding ecosystems.” 

Meanwhile, fashion’s most significant conglomerates have made advancements in turning more sustainable. In March, Kering, which owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga, invested in a lab-grown-leather start-up

On the other hand, LVMH, which owns Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, Loewe, and Celine, backed a lab-grown diamond manufacturer

Brands committed to going fur-free include Dolce and Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, Moncler, and all other Kering brands that will start the ban by 2025.

Banner photo by Johnstons of Elgin on Unsplash.

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