Conscious Step

Packaging

The brand’s shipping boxes and product packaging are made primarily of uncoated kraft paper cardboard, with a high percentage of recycled content and no plastic coatings or films. Conscious Step has actively eliminated unnecessary plastics: for example, it removed non-recyclable plastic components from its mailers and packaging in an effort to protect oceans and reduce waste.

Material Sustainability

The brand uses Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton, primarily grown in India without GMOs, pesticides, or insecticides. Conscious Step has worked to replace virgin synthetic components with recycled alternatives: by 2021 it had almost completely phased out polyamide (nylon) in its socks in favor of recycled polyester made from waste plastic. For example, a typical adult sock in their current range contains roughly 70–75% organic cotton, ~15–23% recycled polyester, a small percentage of recycled polyamide, and a few percent elastane, with only a minor fraction of any virgin synthetic material remaining. The company’s textile partners use low-impact, non-toxic dyes and have water treatment systems to avoid polluting waterways.

Energy Use and Footprint

The company partners with manufacturers that invest in renewable energy and efficiency: its primary apparel factory in India is partially solar-powered, meeting ~60–70% of its energy needs with solar panels. This facility is also designed as a “green factory,” incorporating features like rainwater harvesting and 100% recycling of wastewater through an advanced effluent treatment plant. Conscious Step’s decision to produce certain items locally also reflects footprint awareness. There is no evidence of a formal carbon accounting or offset program at this time (e.g. no carbon-neutral certification or emission reports).

Waste Management

On the production side, the use of recycled polyester fibers in place of virgin synthetics is a form of upcycling that diverts plastic waste from landfills. The company’s manufacturing partner further minimizes waste by recycling all water used for dyeing and washing, ensuring that wastewater is treated and reused. In terms of product design, Conscious Step emphasizes quality and durability. However, beyond these reductions, the brand has not introduced take-back programs, repair services, or product recycling initiatives for end-of-life.

Business Model

Conscious Step’s business model reflects a blend of social enterprise and slow-fashion principles, generally aiming to discourage throwaway consumption. Unlike fast-fashion brands that churn out transient trends, Conscious Step focuses on a curated, cause-driven product line with evergreen designs. There are occasional collaborations or limited editions (such as a Nickelodeon™ socks series or holiday gift sets), but these remain infrequent and mission-aligned, not a constant turnover of new trends.

Conscious Step ensures that its materials and products are safe for consumers and ecosystems by avoiding harmful chemicals at every stage. A cornerstone of this approach is the use of certified organic cotton, which is grown without the synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides used in conventional cotton farming.

The production process also emphasizes non-toxic inputs: the dyes and inks used on fabrics are free from hazardous substances like azo dyes, heavy metals, and formaldehyde. In fact, the brand’s t-shirts are explicitly noted as being “dyed with non-toxic dyes” and printed with water-based or otherwise safe printing methods.

All of Conscious Step’s socks and apparel are produced in Fairtrade Certified facilities, meaning the factories must adhere to rigorous standards for safe working conditions, fair wages, and worker rights. Its principal factory partner also holds independent social certifications like SA8000, which signals compliance with international norms on labor rights.

Conscious Step performs exceptionally well in animal welfare, primarily by virtue of being a fully vegan apparel brand. No animal-derived materials are used in any of its socks, clothing, or accessories, which means the products contain no wool, silk, leather, down, or other animal fibers. The company is PETA-Approved Vegan. The only nominal exception in Conscious Step’s catalog is its line of scented candles, which use a blend of locally harvested beeswax. All wearable products remain 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

A prime example of Day Owl’s community engagement is the brand’s “Take Flight” grants program, which provides financial support to individuals (“Day Owls”) with innovative ideas to improve their local communities. Through these micro-grants, Day Owl nurtures grassroots social and environmental projects, demonstrating a commitment to community-level impact driven by others’ ideas.From its inception, Conscious Step’s model has been to partner each product with a nonprofit cause, so that every purchase generates a tangible positive impact. The company donates a fixed amount per item sold to various charity partners: typically $1 per pair of socks (and per candle), $3–$5 per multi-pack or apparel item goes to the designated nonprofit. These contributions are not token gestures; as of early 2024, Conscious Step had donated over $1.48 million to its causes since the brand’s founding. The breadth and depth of the brand’s philanthropic partnerships are remarkable. Conscious Step has curated a roster of 17 nonprofit partners, initially chosen to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and continually updated based on customer interests and pressing global issues.