Eco-friendly scrubs are healthcare uniforms made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and tencel. They’re comfortable, low-maintenance, and help reduce environmental impact—but they can be pricier and vary in durability. Choosing certified organic brands that prioritize quality and caring for them properly can make the investment well worth it.

While modern healthcare scrubs are comfortable, easy to clean, and super customisable, there’s a growing demand for our work clothing to become more sustainable. 

However, sustainable clothing is often hard to come by, and for the average healthcare worker, it can be considerably more expensive than traditional options. So, are eco-friendly scrubs necessarily worth it?

In this guide, I’ll explore what eco-friendly scrubs are, their benefits, types, where to buy them, and how to care for them effectively.

What Are Eco-Friendly Scrubs? 

Eco-friendly scrubs are healthcare uniforms made from renewable fibres. Unlike traditional scrubs made from artificial materials, eco-scrubs are consciously manufactured from resources such as cotton, bamboo, and recycled fibres.

Sustainable scrubs & eco-friendly scrubs are designed and manufactured to be as comfortable, breathable, and practical as typical healthcare outfits, with the key difference being that they’re made with less energy and fewer harmful resources (such as pesticides).

Synthetic scrub materials have an immense impact on the world around us. The lifecycle of two square metres of polyester fabric produces as much carbon as 32.5km of driving!

Benefits of Sustainable Scrubs

People invest in sustainable scrubs because they have a low environmental impact, they’re ethical choices, and are extremely comfortable and flexible. Wearing sustainable, ethical clothing can also help boost your team or department’s reputation.

Sustainable scrubs use completely natural fibres and are quick to decompose. They also require much less energy and water to produce than outfits made from synthetics, meaning each scrub bought means carbon cut.

Many of our customers say that eco-friendly scrubs are more comfortable than artificial uniforms! Much of this is likely down to the use of cotton, a natural, degradable resource that’s highly comfortable and supportive.

Ultimately, buying and wearing sustainable scrubs is a personal, ethical choice. Personally, I want to do my part for the environment – and while switching to eco-scrubs has meant a slight financial adjustment, I feel better for my choice!

Types of Sustainable Scrubs

Some of the most common types of sustainable scrubs include those made from recycled polyester, organic cotton and hemp, bamboo and tencel, plant sources, and sustainable hybrids.

Recycled Polyester Scrubs

These long-lasting, versatile scrubs are made from plastic bottle waste, meaning they’re not only strong and durable, but also help to reduce plastic entering habitats and choking landfills.

Organic Cotton and Hemp Scrubs

Organic cotton and hemp scrubs are popular because they are immensely comfortable and are quick to biodegrade. However, be careful to invest in organic cotton alone. Organic cotton production removes all toxins and chemicals from manufacturing – and, according to The Organic Center’s research, wearing the material is ‘one of the most important choices you can make for the environment’.

Bamboo and Tencel Scrubs

Bamboo is an alternative to cotton that’s popular thanks to its anti-moisture and antibacterial properties. Like cotton, too, bamboo fibre is super comfortable and ideal for regulating body temperature. Tencel, meanwhile, is excellent for durability, moisture-wicking, and odour resistance.

Hybrid Sustainable Blends

In some cases, you’ll find hybrid blends that give you the sustainability of one material, and the strength or comfort of another. Regardless of what you choose, always prioritise those made organically.

How to Choose Sustainable Scrubs

 

I personally recommend you prioritise durability, quality, comfort and fit, sustainability proof, style, functionality, and true value when shopping for sustainable scrubs.

Durability and Quality

As mentioned, some natural fibres are more durable than others. However, thanks to widely-available options like organic cotton and tencel, there are more robust, high-quality eco-scrubs on the market than ever before. Look carefully at fabrics used in manufacture and what users have to say.

Comfort and Fit

No matter the material, the most comfortable scrubs are those that give you plenty of room to move around at work. Where possible, I recommend sizing up slightly – the nursing scrubs brands we host at Medshop have measurements that are easy to follow, but always carefully measure yourself before shopping.

Sustainability Certifications

Certifications and traceable proof will help to reassure you that you’re making an ethical choice. Before you buy eco scrubs, always check the brand and any certifications provided. Major brands with more global presence are more likely to follow eco-friendly practices due to reputational impact.

Style and Functionality

You’ll want to look good at work, not just be comfortable and eco-conscious! You don’t have to buy green clothing that is literally just green. Eco-friendly scrub brands produce a range of tops and bottoms in shades of teal, blue, red, purple, burgundy, and more. Consider functionality such as drawstrings and pockets, too – look for organic options that don’t hold back on everyday practicality.

Cost vs. Longevity

Always consider the true value of the scrubs you buy. Look into the durability of the fibres used, as mentioned, but also consider your outfit’s care demands and how long you intend to keep your scrubs for. Organic scrubs may cost more upfront, so be willing to put the time in to care for them properly.

Challenges of Adopting Eco-Friendly Scrubs

Many of my co-workers over the years have found green scrubs to be a little more expensive upfront, that styles are limited, and that performance can vary.

We’ve also spoken to customers over the years who have worried that, when shopping elsewhere, the organic and eco-scrubs they’ve found aren’t as varied in range compared to traditional clothing.

What’s more, some people may find that inferior eco-scrubs simply don’t weather as hard as full polyester outfits. Thankfully, more big-name brands are adjusting their production processes to welcome organic materials and lower carbon emissions, meaning it’s getting easier to find great-looking, hard-wearing scrubs that won’t choke the environment.

Caring for Eco-Friendly Scrubs

Cleaning, drying, and storing your eco-friendly scrubs properly helps to extend their lifespan and give you more value in the long run. I recommend you wash and dry scrubs as environmentally consciously as possible, to repair and recycle where you can, and to take care when hanging up and putting away outfits.

Eco-Friendly Washing Practices

Use mild, eco-friendly soap and detergent, and consider washing in cold water to save on energy. This can also help to preserve fabrics. You might want to use white vinegar where possible, too, as a softener.

Sustainable Drying Methods

Air dry your scrubs! Hang washed clothing without the aid of central heating. If you absolutely must use gas or electricity, I recommend keeping the heat low, or drying when you’re using central heat for warmth, regardless.

Repair and Recycling Options

Try to sew and patch organic scrubs to prolong their lifespan wherever you can. Otherwise, at the end of their life, try to reuse your clothing for other purposes, or consult a recycling program in your local area.

Proper Storage Techniques

Even the most durable eco scrubs can suffer from creasing and wrinkling over time. I personally like to hang my scrubs as soon as they’re dry. This can reduce wrinkles and wear – I’ve also heard colleagues tightly rolling scrubs to preserve them, too.

Where to Buy Sustainable Scrubs

With eco-friendly scrubs becoming more popular, the great news is you can find more choice at specialty stores, fashion lines, green marketplaces, and bulk retailers than ever before.

If you’re struggling to find the right set, trying looking into:

• Specialty healthcare retailers offering traditional and eco scrub options

• Fashion brands and lines that exclusively sell sustainable clothing

• Bulk suppliers and manufacturer platforms that are tied to facilities and healthcare services

• Marketplaces and individuals who make and sell within the green sector

Final Thoughts: Are Eco-Friendly Scrubs Worth It?

Eco-friendly scrubs are certainly worth it if you care deeply about the impact your material choices have on the environment. Modern eco-scrubs are, thankfully, becoming more durable and flexible, and more ubiquitous.

That said, the upfront cost of organic scrubs can force some healthcare workers to buy cheaper, less eco-friendly options. You’ll also need to think carefully about your practical needs. Will eco-scrubs last as long as you need them to, given your budget? Can you find the size and level of comfort you need to work in high-intensity environments?

Provided you have the money and time to care for eco-scrubs carefully, I think making the leap to a more sustainable option is worth it for the net ethical benefit. Start by looking carefully at leading scrubs brands, such as those available to buy through Medshop.

 

 

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Sources

Cumper, C. (2024). Sustainable scrubs: Ethical & eco friendly scrubs. In Medshop Australia. Medshop. https://www.medshop.com.au/blogs/news/ethical-eco-friendly-scrubs

Nursing scrubs Australia - professional scrubs. (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://www.medshop.com.au/collections/nursing-scrubs-uniforms

Polyester carbon footprint. (n.d.). In 6.4kg CO₂e. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://www.co2everything.com/co2e-of/polyester

The environmental footprint of organic cotton. (n.d.). In The Organic Center. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from https://www.organic-center.org/site/environmental-footprint-organic-cotton