Earth911 Podcast: Rockay Socks Combine Recycled Ocean Plastic With Reduced Water Usage

Rockay makes socks from ocean plastic with anti-odor characteristics that reduce the need to wash by five to 10 times. It's a remarkable combination of recycling and water-use reduction that can make a big impact on an athlete's environmental impact. Earth911 talks with Daniel Chabert, founder and CEO of Rockay. The company produces organic wool and other socks, but Chabert's addition of recycled ocean plastics has transformed his perspective on sustainability. Rockay's ocean plastics come mostly from discarded fishing nets, which constitute about 70 percent of all the plastic waste in the Earth's waters. The recovered fibers are tough and hold up to long-term use. By combining an odor-resistant compound invented by Polygiene, a Danish textiles company of the same name, Rockay socks fight odor from sweat and skin trapped in the socks after use. The result is athletic wear that can be washed every five to 10 workouts, which translates into much lower water use. The Polygiene treatment uses a silver salt applied to the material to eliminate odor. Chabert, a runner who wanted to reduce his environmental impact, shares how he started and grew Rockay, which is expanding its offerings into other athletic wear just 18 months after it launched. If you're looking for a more sustainable sock, check out Rockay.