Zipper or buttons: Which is the best option for sustainable jeans?

When choosing jeans, one of the questions we ask ourselves is, Should I choose jeans with a button or zipper closure? Spoiler: Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, but it is also important to take into account which of them is more sustainable in environmental terms. At Captain Denim, as a brand committed to sustainability, we want to explore this issue in depth.

Advantages and disadvantages of zipper

The zipper is the most common option when it comes to jeans closures. Some of its advantages are:

Speed and comfort: The zipper allows you to open and close the pants quickly and easily.
Greater support: Being a single piece, the zipper provides a firmer and more secure closure.

However, there are also some drawbacks that we must consider:

Greater propensity for damage: Zippers tend to wear out and break more easily, which can lead to having to repair or discard pants in a short period of time.
Difficult to recycle: zippers are made of different materials, such as metal and plastic, which makes them difficult to recycle and can lead to them ending up in landfills.

Advantages and disadvantages of buttons

The other common option for closing jeans is buttons . These are some of its advantages:

Durability: Buttons are typically stronger and more durable than zippers, meaning pants can have a longer life.
Ease of Repair: If a button falls off or becomes damaged, it is relatively easy to replace, eliminating the need to throw away pants.

However, there are also some aspects to consider:

More difficult to put on and take off: Having to fasten and unfasten several buttons can be slower and less convenient than using a zipper.
Possible Buttonhole Wear: With frequent use, buttonholes can become worn and weakened, which can lead to buttons falling off.

Sustainability: Which option is more environmentally friendly?

In terms of sustainability, you already know that nothing is perfect, but we can consider some considerations:

Buttons: Being more durable and less prone to damage, pants with buttons are more likely to have a longer lifespan, thus reducing the need to replace them frequently. Additionally, buttons are easier to recycle since they are primarily made of metal.

Zippers: Although zippers are more prone to wear and tear, there are more sustainable options available on the market, such as recycled metal zippers. However, the zipper recycling process remains more complicated due to the combination of materials.

And us, what do we use?

In most cases we use a zipper since it is much more comfortable, but always respecting the planet.

When we use buttons, we choose Botones La Ideal, a Madrid family business with decades of experience, as our button supplier. We share the same values of commitment to sustainability and local production.