Sustainability has become a buzz word in recent years, but our custom socks have been made clean since day one.
Italian production has long been known for its quality, but the environmental regulations are also some of the strictest in the world.
We partnered very early on with a multi-generational sock factory that has been adapting their methods over decades to ensure
they are making the same quality socks since their inception, while having the smallest impact on their environment.
Our Long-Lasting Product
The way we interact with promotional products is changing. People prefer durable and practical items over disposable novelties, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and quality. Frequent use of these products keeps the brand top of mind.
Long Life
lifespan of 5-6 years.
Universal Size
High Value
of the least discarded
promotional items.
Our Long-Lasting Product
The way we interact with promotional products is changing. People prefer durable and practical items over disposable novelties, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and quality. Frequent use of these products keeps the brand top of mind.
Our socks have an average
lifespan of 5-6 years.
Our One-size-fits-most option eliminates surplus inventory that would otherwise sit unused.
Custom socks are one
of the least discarded
promotional items.
Minimizing Waste
Manufacturing a product produces waste, and custom socks are no different. We’re proud that on the manufacturing level we minimize our waste in multiple ways.
We don’t package our socks in plastic.
In fact, you can often find our boxes lined with Italian newspapers, if you want to catch up on your European News!
We don’t package our socks in plastic.
In fact, you can often find our boxes lined
with Italian newspapers, if you want
to catch up on your European News!
We use recycled cardboard boxes made in Italy to ship out our socks.
We use recycled cardboard boxes
made in Italy to ship out our socks.
Our socks are not pre-washed before packaging. This saves hundreds of tons of water waste a year.
Prewashing socks is an unnecessary step when high grade cotton is being used.
Our socks are not pre-washed
before packaging. This saves hundreds
of tons of water waste a year.
Prewashing socks is an unnecessary step
when high grade cotton is being used.
Ethics & Resposibility
All of our factories are routinely audited by SEDEX to ensure our workers are operating in safe and healthy environments.
All of our design work is done in North America.
Our Zero Waste Process
We minimize extra waste from all areas of our business, but our biggest project is to reduce the waste in our factory. Learn our approach to how we recycle our threads and prevent thousands of tons of waste from ending up in landfills.
Precision in Sock Design
For each custom sock design, our experienced technicians produce multiple samples to perfect the fit and design. This means that we often have anywhere from 1 - 5 imperfect test socks per order.
Recycling for a Purpose
While most factories send these materials straight to landfills, we made a conscious decision to store every unusable sock and cotton remnant, ensuring they are recycled into new products for donation.
Zero-Waste Sock Manufacturing
This is achieved by grinding down the material and respinning it into new threads. With this innovation, we've transformed our sock manufacturing into a zero-waste operation.
Our Zero Waste Process
Precision in Sock Design
For each custom sock design, our experienced technicians produce multiple samples to perfect the fit and design. This means that we often have anywhere from 1-5 imperfect test socks per order.
Recycling for a Purpose
While most factories send these materials straight to landfills, we made a conscious decision to store every unusable sock and cotton remnant, ensuring they are recycled into new products for donation.
Zero-Waste Sock Manufacturing
This is achieved by grinding down the material and respinning it into new threads. With this innovation, we've transformed our sock manufacturing.
Our Clean Cotton Approach
Our Cotton and Pantone Matching
Our Team in Italy
We are proud to produce our socks in Italy, in the small town of Castel Goffredo, for many reasons, but our commitment to the ethical and environmental impact of our actions is closest to our heart.
Our factory in Italy has been in the family for generations, and specializes in bespoke, small batch runs, which allows us to work with everyone closely and stay in touch often.
We are a small and committed team
that’s dedicated to our work and each other.
Bite-Size Sockrates Eco-Facts
We have been
Earth conscious
and sustainable for
over 7 years.
bags at our Italian factory,
we've saved 750 kg of
plastic from landfills -
equivalent to the weight
of an elephant!
We don’t prewash
our socks, which saves over 260,000 L
of water every year.
That’s how many pairs of socks we have donated since our inception.
scrap of unusable cotton
and test socks
to be recycled into
new material.
wind power, exceeding the
EU's 2025 goal to recycle
65% of urban waste.
Sustainability FAQs
Do You Offer Organic Socks?
Yes! Any of our cotton socks can be made with Organic Cotton. Our most popular options for Organic are our Dress or Athletic Options. We also have our Eco-Luxe Socks which are made from recycled wool.
How is Sockrates working to improve its carbon footprint?
We are very committed to reducing our impact on the planet. When we first started our custom sock exploration, it was one of the main reasons we chose to make our socks in Italy. The environmental standards in Italy are well documented as well as their ethical standards for workers. You can also read more about how we collect all of our wasted threads in order to make new products, preventing tons of waste from landing up in landfills.
What role does sustainability play in guiding product design?
All of our custom socks are made with sustainability in mind, and we are committed to making sure any new products we offer meet, or excel those standards. Our most recent example is our Eco-Luxe Socks which are made from GRS recycled wool.
What is Oeko-Tex?
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. It sets the benchmark for textile safety, from yarn to finished product. Every item bearing the STANDARD 100 label is certified as having passed safety tests for the presence of harmful substances.You can read more about Oeko -Tex 100 here.
Why are Custom Socks a more sustainable promotional product?
Promotional products can easily become throw away products, which is what makes custom socks so unique. They have a very long shelf life (with frequent wear up to 6 years), OSFM options means that there are generally no unworn sizes, and they are made of 80% cotton which is a biodegradable material.
Don't see your question? Email our Socktologists and we'll get back to you shortly.
