How often do you buy new socks, undies, and t-shirts? How often do you have to throw the old ones away? Do you know how much textile waste socks create? Let’s chat about a brand that gives us sustainable socks as an option!
Disclaimer: Old World New uses affiliate links.
I’ve partnered with Bombas to share their socks that are simply made better – better materials, better designs, and better product lifespan. Let’s get real about why even socks should be made with the environment in mind.
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Quick Facts About Textile Waste:
- “The main source of textiles in municipal solid waste (MSW) is discarded clothing…” – EPA
- “EPA estimates that the generation of clothing and footwear was 13 million tons in 2018 (4.4 percent of total MSW). … EPA estimated that the amount of clothing and footwear recycled in 2018 was 1.7 million tons (13.0 percent recycling rate).” – EPA
- “… an estimated 92 million tonnes of textiles waste is created each year and the equivalent to a rubbish truck full of clothes ends up on landfill sites every second. By 2030, we are expected as a whole to be discarding more than 134 million tonnes of textiles a year.” – bbc.com
Why the “small stuff” matters
In this era, it’s far too easy for us to get rid of the small stuff without a second thought. Items are made quickly and cheaply from materials that are not durable, and so we buy them cheap and often. When they reach the end of their life, which is quickly, we just replace them, often skipping the act of repairing them because we feel like they aren’t even worth repairing. It’s just easier for us to buy more. Continuously throwing away the “small stuff” really adds up, as the quick facts show up above. The millions of pounds of textiles that we fill landfills with each year – it only takes 12 pounds of textiles from each family to create that massive amount of waste overall.
But many movies that share life from the early 1900s or before might show you a person who is either making their own clothes or repairing their own clothes or socks, which is called darning. In the 21st century, many of us don’t normally go through the work and time required to make our own socks, so they seem like a disposable item.
Bombas is creating better socks that last longer so that they don’t have to be thrown away soon after purchase, and so that we can hold off on needing to repair them.
Buy Better Socks
Yes, there are so many ways to get crafty and reuse items such as socks and other fabrics within your home. One thing I’ve found is that I can only reuse so much before even reusing things becomes burdensome and not realistic. If I have a bin full of poorly made socks that meet their end sooner than I’d like, but don’t quite have a way to repurpose them, yet – that’s still waste. It’s just taking up space in the house now.
Buying socks that are made to be more comfortable and long-lasting is a great option when replacing those pesky socks that just don’t last long.
Here are just a few reasons why I love the natural merino wool socks by Bombas:
- Wool that is of good quality lasts longer, so they don’t have to be purchased as often as socks made of lower quality fabrics that tear easily
- Bombas designed their socks differently than traditional modern socks to be more comfortable, so now I don’t have to deal with those lines on the toes (toe seams), or sock fabric getting stuck between my toes (pilling)
- Not only is wool a strong natural fiber, but it is sort of a SMART fiber – it holds in warmth for cooler weather, allows air flow for warmer weather, and it has natural moisture-wicking properties that help to keep feet dry!
Bombas Sustainable Socks Gift Guide
When gifting sustainable socks, it’s good to have a well-rounded selection for the person receiving them. Here are the socks that I chose for my Bombas gift box:
- Merino Wool Gripper House Socks for walking around the house in my socks
- Original’s Calf Socks for their stylish look
- Lightweight Merino Wool Ski & Snowboard Socks for keeping my feet AND legs warm
- Merino Wool Calf Socks for an everyday sock
You can purchase the gift box here.
Bombas also has pre-made gift box sock sets ranging from everyday socks to socks with colorful characters that we know and love.
Shop Bombas sustainable socks gift sets here.
Giving Twice As Much
When you buy a pair of Bombas socks, a pair is donated. The entire company was founded on the concept of giving with each purchase, so this is not a new concept to them – it’s just what they do! So when you buy your own or gift a pair of Bombas socks to someone you love, you’re giving even more than what you and your loved ones receive.
Final Thought on Bombas Socks
When it comes to reducing waste, one of the first best ways is to use what you already have. The next best option is to buy items of good quality. Bombas provides sustainable socks of exceptional quality, all while donating socks with each purchase. And they’re extremely comfortable! If you have to buy new socks, I highly recommend that you shop with Bombas!
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