Recycled vs Organic Cotton Socks: Which Is More Sustainable?

Recycled vs Organic Cotton Socks: Which Is More Sustainable?

If you are shopping like a John Lewis customer - looking for quality first, and brands with values baked in - then you may already be searching for Organic and Recycled socks. But which is better?

The most sustainable sock is the one that combines responsible material with real durability.

Organic cotton: the headline benefits (and the trade-offs)

• Avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers in farming.
• Improves farmer health and wellbeing.
• Can be better for soil health when managed responsibly.

• Still requires land and significant water; sustainability depends on the region and farming practices.
• Production occurs over large distances.

Recycled fibres: the headline benefits (and the trade-offs)

• Reduces demand for virgin materials by reusing existing waste.
• Can have a lower impact than producing virgin polyester/nylon, especially when powered by cleaner energy.

• Depends on the quality of recycling streams and yarn engineering; not all recycled yarns are equal.

There is not just one perfectly “sustainable” material, all materials perform differently and their end use is important. 

Teddy Locks socks have been engineered for both the planet and the end user. You don't want holes - and neither does the planet. Natural fibres can wear through much more quickly, but our combination of natural Tercel and Recycled Polyester make them soft yet durable. For active people, and socks rubbing inside your shoes, this is an important performance factor. 

Natural fibres also take much longer to dry, resulting in a cycle through energy intensive dryers. Teddy Locks socks however come out of the washing machine almost dry - and can be dried with a hairdryer in as little as 7 seconds!

Cotton's ability to absorb, and hold, water also makes it an imperfect material for your feet. Once you start sweating, your socks stay wet. Resulting in blisters, and other skin discomforts. 

The deciding factor most people forget: cost per wear

If one pair lasts twice as long, you buy half as many. That is usually the biggest sustainability lever available to you as a shopper.

A simple rule of thumb

Pick the material story you trust, then choose the sock that feels best and holds up best - because the most sustainable sock is the one you keep reaching for.

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