Solution: Socks recycled into other socks or garments. Owner: Chaussettes Orphelines. Circular Strategy: Recycle.
Description
Chaussettes Orphelines collects used socks around France. The socks are sent to their local partner company that unravel them into fibres. A local spinning company then turns the fibre into yarn which is used to make their collection of recycled socks, clothing, and accessories.
Location
The workshop is in Paris but there are many collection points across France.
Scale
2,000 people per year are involved in the activities of Chaussettes Orphelines.
Potential circular economy impact
The organisation is an innovative model of the circular economy as it targets used socks. This clothing item can’t be reused by second-hand store and usually ends up in the general waste bin. This solution diverts the textile from ending up in landfill or incinerators; thus, reducing textile waste.
What’s involved?
People: Sorters; spinners; unravellers; designer.
Resources: Socks; textile spinning machine; unravelling tools; sewing equipment.
Technology: Sewing and spinning machines.
Implementation: Organising a collection system for the socks; sorting the socks; transforming the socks into fibre then yarn; designing and sewing the clothes, socks, and accessories; organising the sale.