2021 Environmental Impact

When we started Hippy Feet in 2016, we wanted to put 3 values at the core of everything we do:

1. Helping Others

2. American Manufacturing

3. Environmental Responsibility

We often share information about our mission to help young people experiencing homelessness, but we want to use this opportunity to shine some light on what we’re doing to take care of our planet. From the way we make our products to the other businesses we work with, we’re taking steps to be the most environmentally responsible company we can be.

Eco-Friendly Socks

In recent years, Fast Fashion has gained attention for its negative impact on our planet. Frequently creating and disposing of clothes made from cheap, synthetic materials fills landfills, emits pollutants, and is a major contributor to human-caused climate change.

Socks are no exception to this. Most socks require some synthetic material to give them elasticity, often using petroleum-based textiles. Even natural materials like cotton and wool can be extremely resource-intensive. It takes 2,400 gallons of water to grow a single pound of cotton. So how can you make socks more sustainably?

At Hippy Feet, we’ve prioritized using recycled materials to produce our socks. We use yarns that come from t-shirt trimmings, diverting waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, minimizing our water consumption, and eliminating the need to dye new textiles. When a recycled option isn’t available, we use organically grown material — meaning that no harmful pesticides or chemicals were used in the growing process.

Using environmentally friendly materials whenever possible extends beyond our socks. Whenever we make any product, we use the criteria we described above and look to minimize our footprint.

Made to Last

Even making products using relatively eco-friendly materials can have a negative effect compared not making them at all. Creating clothing takes natural resources and energy which can have a range of impacts including the emission greenhouse gases.

It’s important that our products are made to last so you have to replace them less frequently. When you buy high-quality products, you’re limiting your consumption, waste, and minimizing your impact on the environment.

We can always do better. We’re continuing to look for materials and manufacturing practices that keep both your feet and our planet happy. 

Responsible Partners

We’re just one small organization. To make a difference, we realize that we need to be a part of a community that is taking environmental protection seriously. Businesses play a crucial role in the battle against climate change and each business has a responsibility to be stewards of the environment. We do this by prioritizing partners and vendors that are socially and environmentally responsible.

Later this year, we’ll be announcing some new partnerships that expand our community of like-minded organizations. Sign up for our email list to stay up to date!

We understand that there is still room for progress when it comes to minimizing our impact and taking care of the planet. If you have questions about our environmental practices or feedback on how we can do better, please let us know.

 

Peace and Love,

The Hippy Feet Team