This month, we’ve been investigating the world of ferret leads and harnesses – first looking at different harness styles, then breaking down how we’ve adapted and refined our popular Figure-8 harness design.

Now, let’s talk materials.

We currently use three types of cord for our leads and harnesses:

• Cotton macramé cord
• Paracord
• Piping cord

Each has its own benefits, but when you start digging into the environmental impact, things get… complicated. There’s raw material sourcing, manufacturing emissions, transport costs, durability (because a long-lasting product is more sustainable), and even end-of-life disposal to consider.

Fancy knowing my thoughts about this? Let’s go!

Cotton macramé cord

Cotton seems like the obvious eco-friendly choice – it’s a natural fibre, biodegradable, and has a lower carbon footprint than synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.

But here’s where it gets messy.

The water problem

Cotton farming is notoriously thirsty. A dramatic example of this is the Aral Sea disaster:

Between 1960 and 2000, the Aral Sea lost 60% of its area and 80% of its volume due to massive water withdrawals for cotton farming in the surrounding desert regions. This is the source of this info, in case you’re interested.

That’s… horrifying.

The future of cotton and water efficiency

There is hope on the horizon. New research suggests that elevated CO₂ levels may help improve cotton’s water-use efficiency, and organic farming methods already reduce damage to plants during droughts.

This is why I prioritise organic cotton whenever possible – it’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

However, cotton presents another challenge…

The sourcing dilemma

Most cotton is grown in specific global regions, meaning even if I buy from a UK-based supplier, the actual material still travels thousands of miles. So, do I:

• Support a local UK business that imports cotton?
• Or try to find a supplier closer to the cotton source, but risk bypassing local UK retailers?

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. 🤷

Paracord

Paracord is a powerhouse material. Originally used for parachute suspension lines, it’s made from high-strength nylon fibres, with an inner twisted core and a woven outer sheath. We use Paracord 550, which has a breaking strength of 550lbs.

The problem with paracord? Plastics.

Nylon is petroleum-based. That means:

• It relies on non-renewable fossil fuels.
• Its production has high carbon emissions.
• It sheds microplastics into the environment with every wash.

Sourcing paracord more ethically

Since UK manufacturing is pretty much non-existent in this area, we rely on imports. I get my paracord from Paracord.EU, which sources from either the EU or the US.

Unfortunately, US-based supply chains are becoming more expensive and unpredictable (hello, political instability!), so I prioritise EU-sourced stock whenever possible.

Oh, and I refuse to buy the cheap ‘paracord-style’ copies from China – many of them are lower quality and produced under questionable environmental and labour practices. NOPE. 🚫

Piping cord

Piping cord is a bit of a hybrid – it’s softer and more flexible than paracord but stronger than cotton.

Traditional vs. modern piping cord

• Traditional piping cord is plain white cotton, mainly used for upholstery.
• Modern craft piping cord comes in a huge range of colours and is made from polyester nylon (aka, more plastic).

And here’s where my own research smacked me in the face – I had no idea where my piping cord was coming from. 😬

Unlike paracord, piping cord is still manufactured in the UK (shock horror!). I found a UK-based supplier, Kalsi Cords, which means I can now source directly from a UK manufacturer instead of relying on imported stock.

BUT – and this is a big but – it costs over twice as much.

The ethical pricing dilemma

If I switch to UK-manufactured piping cord, I have to raise my prices to reflect the higher costs. And here’s the brutal truth:

How many of you actually care?

We’ve been conditioned to chase the cheapest option, even when that comes at a huge ethical and environmental cost (Hi, Shein and Temu!). I can make every effort to source better, greener, and more ethical materials… but what happens if people just go and buy a cheaper product elsewhere?

I’d love to hear your thoughts – would you pay more for locally and ethically sourced materials, or is price still the biggest factor when shopping? Let’s have an honest conversation.

And so…

Comparing cotton, paracord, and piping cord has forced me to question everything – not just materials, but sourcing, transport, waste, and pricing ethics.

So, what’s the answer?

• I won’t stop using paracord, because it’s durable and versatile, but I’ll keep sourcing it responsibly.
• I’ll prioritise organic cotton whenever possible, despite the sourcing trade-offs.
• I’m switching to UK-manufactured piping cord, even if it means adjusting my pricing.

Ultimately, all we can do is make informed choices and question the supply chain at every step. Hopefully, by sharing this, I can help you make more informed choices too.

Want to know more about Blue Ferret Boarding’s Environmental Policy? Look no further! It’s RIGHT HERE