Eco-Friendly Scrubs: What Makes Them Planet-Friendly?
As healthcare facilities work toward becoming more sustainable, it's a good time to discuss planet-friendly scrubs.
Scrubs go through a lot of wear and tear. Medical staff wear and wash them daily, and replace them when they start falling apart, especially if the quality was never great to begin with. Plus, many are derived from petroleum inputs that produce carbon emissions. All this washing, replacement, and dirty carbon is not good for the planet.
Fortunately, the scrub market has become increasingly eco-conscious. Today, healthcare professionals are working in genuinely eco-friendly scrubs that look good and feel comfortable.
Our guide breaks down what makes a scrub eco-friendly and highlights 5 great sustainable scrub choices for 2026.
What Makes Scrubs Eco-Friendly?
Environmentally friendly scrubs and scrub caps use renewable and recycled materials and are manufactured in a responsible, sustainable way.
Scrubs made from recycled materials
Green-inspired innovations have achieved several environmental wins in scrub manufacturing. Today, scrubs are made from cleaner, greener, and eco-friendly materials:
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Recycled polyester: Manufacturing new polyester requires crude oil and fossil fuel extraction, adding to greenhouse gas emissions. Recycled polyester is made from recycled plastic bottles and other plastic waste. This green process reuses waste and keeps dangerous plastics out of oceans and landfills.
Dr Woof's catalog includes sustainable scrubs made from almost 100% recycled plastic. With each scrub top, you're preventing the equivalent of 13 water bottles from polluting our planet. -
Organic cotton: Producing cotton consumes tremendous amounts of water and involves spraying crops with pesticides. Organic cotton, on the other hand, requires much less water and is grown without toxic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
This protects resources, the environment, soil health, and the safety of cotton workers.
- TENCEL Lyocell: TENCEL is a cellulose fiber (similar to rayon) made from sustainable wood pulp using a closed-loop production process. In this process, water and solvents are recovered and reused, creating much less waste.
Responsible manufacturing
Responsible scrub manufacturing follows best practices to reduce the environmental footprint of the production processes:
- Water reduction: Companies use facilities and techniques that reduce water consumption in dyeing and finishing processes.
- Greener packaging: Recycled and recyclable materials are used for all packaging and shipping materials.
- Carbon-neutral shipping: Emissions from transportation are minimized and offset to ensure climate-friendly delivery.
At Dr Woof Apparel, every part of our production process, from careful water usage and eco-friendly dye to carbon-neutral shipping, is sustainable and responsible.
What are the Positive Environmental Impacts of Sustainable Scrubs?
Here's how sustainable recycling positively impacts the environment:
- Less microplastic pollution: Every time you wash synthetic polyester scrubs, tiny plastic fibers are shed. These can eventually end up in oceans and even our food chain. Recycled polyester helps cut this pollution.
- Lower carbon emissions: Many traditional scrubs are made from polyester blends. Polyester production relies on petroleum, tying this textile industry to fossil fuel extraction. Recycling reduces dependence on fossil fuels, lowering harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
- Less dangerous landfill risk: The textile waste in regular scrubs takes hundreds of years to break down. Using recycled and eco-friendly materials keeps waste out of landfills, mitigating a serious long-term problem.
Tips for Choosing Eco-Friendly Scrubs
If you want to invest in sustainable scrubs and support environmentally responsible companies, here are 6 handy pointers:
- Check the label: Look for scrubs made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, bamboo, or other eco-friendly materials.
- Consider longevity: Think about how long the scrubs will hold up. A set that stays in good shape for years beats four or five cheap sets that fall apart fast. Look for brands with proven durability and long-wearing comfort, and check customer reviews to see if they actually walk the talk.
- Certifications: Look for certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which certify that textiles are made from organically grown fibers and meet environmental and social standards.
- Pay attention to manufacturing/distribution: Research what the company is doing to save water and energy during manufacturing. Is the packaging green, and is the shipping eco-friendly? How transparent are they about their supply chain and sustainability practices?
- Ethical labor and fair wages: As an additional consideration, remember that manufacturers of truly ethical scrubs pay fair wages and treat their workers well.
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Balance comfort and eco-consciousness: Your scrub pants and top should still meet the demands of long shifts and frequent washing. You want a comfortable fit that retains its shape through washing cycles and provides the stretch you need for your job.
The good news is that sustainable materials are soft, breathable, high-performance, and comfy-fitting.
5 Best Eco-Friendly Scrubs for 2026
To help you find their perfect set of planet-friendly scrubs, here are 5 top eco-conscious brands for 2026:
Dr Woof Apparel
What makes them eco-friendly: Dr Woof scrubs are crafted from 92% recycled plastic using sustainable manufacturing methods. Each top prevents the equivalent of 13 water bottles from polluting our planet.
Qualities and features: Our high-quality scrubs are made from soft fabric that feels amazing against your skin. Breathable, athletic-inspired designs are lightweight, moisture-wicking, and incredibly comfortable.
Average price (scrub pants and top): $70–$80
Skechers scrubs (by Barco)
What makes them eco-friendly: Each eco-friendly scrub set is made with 12 recycled bottles.
Qualities and features: This scrub range is affordable, durable, and sporty with stretch for all-day comfort. Skechers is a collaboration between the popular footwear brand and Barco, the makers of Grey's Anatomy scrubs.
Average price: $50-$65
Mediclo
What makes them eco-friendly: Mediclo's “Bottle Edition” uses recycled polyester, while their “Tree Edition” (and other Tencel-based scrubs) uses renewable wood fiber.
Qualities and features: Appearance, feel, stretch, and breathability are all top-notch. Wrinkle and shrink resistance ensure your outfits retain their comfy fit and professional look.
Average price: $75-$90+
Figs scrubs
What makes them eco-friendly: The ethical scrub range from FIGS incorporates sustainable materials (recycled polyester/organic cotton blends) and responsible manufacturing.
Qualities and features: Expect modern, high-performance designs with practical moisture-wicking technology in wrinkle-resistant fabrics.
Average price: $80 - $90.
Jaanuu scrubs
What makes them eco-friendly: Many Jannuu scrubs are made using recycled yarns and PFC-free finishes.
Features and qualities: Tailored fits and stylish finishes deliver performance stretch, with multiple pocket options for functionality.
Average price: $80-$95
FAQs
What are the advantages of using recycled materials in scrubs?
The benefits of hospital scrubs made from recycled materials include:
- Environmental sustainability: Recycling reduces plastic waste by transforming used bottles into fabric, conserving the planet's resources. This goes beyond waste reduction; it turns end-of-life products into something valuable.
- Eco-friendly production: Using sustainable dyes and practicing water and energy savings conserves scarce resources.
- Cost-effectiveness: Well-made, durable scrubs handle repeated wear and washing, delivering smart long-term value.
What are the downsides of eco-friendly scrubs?
The main downsides of sustainably produced scrubs are as follows:
- The costs are often higher because recycled and plant-based fabrics are more expensive to produce.
- Some eco fabrics, including recycled polyester, can feel slightly (but not significantly) heavier than light synthetics.
- Sustainable scrub collections may have fewer styles and color options than regular ranges.
Is it worth paying more for eco-friendly scrubs?
Yes. For busy healthcare professionals, sustainable scrubs can be well worth the investment. Quality eco-brands hold their look and fit, lasting significantly longer than cheaper, regular scrubs.
Ready to Make Your Move Toward Sustainability?
Eco-friendly scrubs in 2026 prove that sustainability and healthcare can go hand in hand. When healthcare workers pick planet-friendly workwear, they help patients and the Earth at the same time.
To make your positive impact on the future, explore Dr Woof's eco-forward range of men's scrubs and women's collections to find a set that fits your style and values.
