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green feet: sustainable socks
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created about 1 year ago | Tagged: |
August
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In terms of size, socks may be small, but just like every other product on the market, they still have an environmental impact. Many socks are made from cotton, which when grown conventionally is a water- and pesticide- intensive crop, accounting for 16% of global insecticide releases. Add to that the fact that in the US, up to 70% genetically modified organism seeds are used in conventional cotton farming, and regular cotton socks aren’t looking so great anymore.
Beyond cotton, performance socks often use standard synthetic fabrics, like nylon or polyester. These fibers are both petroleum based, further deepening our dependence on a non-renewable resource. Fortunately for the eco-conscious, from recycled polyester to organic wool, progressive sock companies are incorporating alternative materials that reuse waste and eliminate hazardous chemicals associated with conventional fibers and farming, as well as instituting programs to give back to the environment, meaning there is a sock out there you can feel good about wearing.
Across its line of socks, Teko uses both recycled polyester – made from recycled plastic bottles – and organic cotton, and last fall added organic merino wool to its list of sustainable materials. Beyond sustainable fibers, all of Teko’s suppliers are Oeko-Tex 100 certified. Developed by a group of European textile institutes, the certification screens for the use of hazardous materials, helping Teko ensure that their socks, among other things, do not contain allergenic dyestuffs, are free from formaldehyde and have been tested for pesticides. Teko socks are also manufactured in the USA and all of the company’s energy use is offset with renewable wind energy credits. The minimal packaging that Teko uses is made from chipboard; derived from recycled materials and also 100% recyclable.
Injinji Featuring a patented five-toe sleeve design, Injinji socks are anything but ordinary, designed to separate your toes which minimizes rubbing and blistering. But beyond helping to separate your toes, Injini is also doing its part to make its socks more sustainable. The company uses a variety of progressive fabrics in their various sock models, including Coolmax EcoMade, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, as well as the natural antimicrobial NuBamboo, a fabric made with 70% bamboo fiber. In other words: better smelling feet without the environmental footprint of traditional synthetic fabrics that often use a chemical finish to add antimicrobial properties.
SmartWool An in-house name, SmartWool has long been known for their merino wool socks. Just like other companies choosing the natural fiber over a synthetic, they are committed to producing socks in a renewable and ethical way, putting money into research and development to find ways to improve industry-wide sustainable wool farming and eco-friendly processing practices. 10% of every web-order also goes directly into the SmartPrint Advocacy Fund which allots money to organizations that promote environmental stewardship and active lifest
