Sustainable Scrubs: Ethical & Eco Friendly Scrubs

In an era marked by heightened awareness of environmental sustainability and ethical responsibility, the healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation towards more conscientious practices. Among the many facets of this shift, the adoption of sustainable scrubs stands out as a significant stride towards a greener, more socially responsible healthcare environment. 

Due to the demanding nature of their work, doctors and nurses often find themselves going through scrubs at a rapid rate. It’s common for medical professionals to encounter situations where they are splashed by bodily fluids and other liquids while providing care to their patients, particularly in high-pressure environments like emergency and acute care settings. As a result, scrubs often need to be changed multiple times throughout the day to maintain sanitary conditions in wards and treatment areas, while also ensuring that doctors and nurses project a professional appearance at all times.

Although standard medical scrubs are reusable, it’s still a good idea to think about sustainability when purchasing your workwear. After all, the more ethical and eco-friendly scrubs are, the kinder the medical profession will be on the environment.  As a company dedicated to providing healthcare professionals with high-quality apparel, we understand the importance of offering eco-friendly options that align with these values. 

 

How to Buy Ethical and Eco Friendly Scrubs

Buying ethical and eco-friendly scrubs involves considering several factors to ensure that your purchase aligns with your values and sustainability goals.

Some of the most important are:

• Sustainability
• Durability
• Materials

Thanks to the nature of scrubs, they need to be exceptionally durable and hardwearing. So, ideally, you want to invest in scrubs that are made from natural, sustainable materials which are ethically sourced and designed to last.

Both scrub tops and scrub bottoms endure prolonged, challenging shifts, necessitating a blend of natural and synthetic fibers to withstand wear and tear. Investing in durable eco-friendly scrubs is paramount, as prolonged lifespans reduce the frequency of replacement, lessening doctors' and nurses' overall consumption. With the fashion industry, including workwear, accounting for 8%-10% of global carbon emissions, prolonged garment usage contributes to mitigating this environmental footprint

 

What are the Most Sustainable Scrub Materials? 

In general, environmentally friendly materials are considered to be those that are natural and ethically sourced. Things like cotton, bamboo, linen and wool are all derived from natural ingredients and so can generally be considered to be sustainable.

However, while these materials are natural, they’re not always completely eco-friendly. This is because the mass production of some natural fibres can actually be harmful to the environment. 

For example, the production of cotton uses 2.5% of the world’s total cultivated land but 16% of the world’s insecticides and an incredible 25% of the pesticides. Globally, the production of cotton is thought to consume around 250 billion tons of water and result in the emission of a whopping 220 million tons of CO2 every single year. This means your cotton scrub top may not be as green as you’d like.

It is possible to buy products made from sustainably grown cotton and other natural fibres. So, make sure you check the small print carefully before spending your hard earned money on ‘eco friendly’ fabrics.

Which Materials are the Most Durable for Sustainable Scrubs?

Durability is a critical factor to consider when evaluating the sustainability of scrub materials. The longevity of garments directly impacts their environmental footprint, as longer-lasting scrubs require fewer resources for production and disposal. 

Polyester-cotton blends are a standout option for durable sustainable scrubs. These blends combine the strength and resilience of polyester with the natural breathability of cotton. A scrub top like the Cherokee Workwear WW650 or the Cherokee Workwear WW645 made with 65% polyester (a synthetic material) and 35% cotton will be a great option with a polyester component that enhances the fabric's durability, making it highly resistant to wear and tear from daily use and frequent laundering. This durability ensures that garments maintain their integrity over time, reducing the need for replacements and minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, polyester-cotton blends often offer excellent color retention and wrinkle resistance, further contributing to their longevity and sustainability. When considering scrub materials, polyester-cotton blends provide a balanced combination of durability, comfort, and environmental responsibility.

Advantages of Using Eco-Friendly Scrubs

Made from sustainable materials, eco-friendly scrubs reduce pollution by minimizing the release of harmful substances into ecosystems. Additionally, these scrubs conserve resources through their production processes, requiring fewer energy inputs and less water usage. Eco-friendly scrubs offer numerous benefits for the environment:

1. Reduced Pollution: Traditional scrubs often contain synthetic materials like polyester, which release microplastics into water systems when washed. Eco-friendly scrubs are typically made from natural, biodegradable materials like organic cotton or bamboo, reducing the release of harmful pollutants into the environment.
2. Conservation of Resources: Eco-friendly scrubs are often made from sustainable materials that require fewer resources to produce, such as organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo. This helps conserve water, energy, and land compared to conventional scrub manufacturing processes.
3. Biodegradability: Eco-friendly scrubs are designed to decompose naturally at the end of their lifecycle, reducing the burden on landfills and decreasing the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste in the environment.
4. Lower Carbon Footprint: Manufacturing eco-friendly scrubs typically involves fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional methods. Additionally, using organic or sustainably sourced materials reduces the carbon footprint associated with farming and processing.
5. Protection of Ecosystems: Eco-friendly materials are often sourced from renewable resources that are harvested in a way that minimizes negative impacts on ecosystems. This helps preserve biodiversity and maintains the health of natural habitats.
6. Longer Lifespan: Some eco-friendly scrubs are designed to be durable and long-lasting, reducing the frequency of replacement and the overall environmental impact associated with production, transportation, and disposal.

 

Which Brands are the Most Ethical?

As well as looking for fabrics made from environmentally friendly materials, we advise healthcare professionals to buy products from brands that have a strong commitment to eco-friendly causes. Look for brands that promise to implement carbon-neutral practices or that purchase their fabrics from sustainable sources.

Buying from manufacturers with these types of green policies will help to lower the carbon footprint of your workwear. It will also help to drive demand for more environmentally friendly products, something that could make the future of workwear that little bit greener.

It’s a good idea to buy your scrubs from well-known brands like Cherokee. Manufacturers with global reputations are generally known for the quality and durability of their products. Buying good quality scrubs made by trusted labels will help to ensure the longevity of your work wear and prevent clothes going to landfill prematurely.

Investing in ethically sourced, eco-friendly scrubs will help to lower your personal carbon footprint and help make the medical industry that little bit kinder on the environment. To find out more about eco-friendly brands and long lasting, durable scrubs, take a look through our high quality collection of medical supplies today.

 

Author: Carolyn Cumper's career spans from being a Patrol Officer in Rhodesia to a Paediatric Nurse in the UK, and later a Deputy Hospice Manager in Australia. Her diverse journey includes roles in law enforcement, healthcare, and business, culminating in her significant contributions to Medshop.