Shopping for glasses? when it comes to choosing eyewear it’s often a big decision. Sadly, the eyewear industry is a major source of plastic waste. In fact, according to Co-Founder of Ed & Sarna Vintage eyewear, most sunglasses are made from a combination of two materials, metal and cellulose acetate. ‘Each plastic frame is cut from a rectangular sheet of acetate which, due to the nature of eyewear design requires two big holes in the middle, so up to 80% of the plastic used in the manufacturing process is essentially wasted.’
“The eyewear industry is a $120 billion market in which plastic is the main source of raw material and sustainability is almost non-existent” say Circular Design Europe.- Eco Eyewear Brands Protecting The Planet Share on XEco eyewear brands to consider…
However, there are a few pioneering eco eyewear brands leading the way in shifting the status quo. Here are a selection of eco eyewear brands working to protect the planet, one pair at a time.
Arise Collective
ECO Frames by Arise Collective have a range of frames in a variety of colours. Arise Collective partners with 1% for the Planet to support environmental and social causes around the world. The Arise Collective collection includes free prescription lenses with a special advanced coating, which renders them anti-glare and scratch resistant. In addition, all frames come with a 2-year warranty. Each frame sold directly gives back to achieve a more sustainable future.
Wires
Fully eco eyewear brand Wires have a range of sunglasses and regular prescription glasses, they use stainless steel wire for their frames and 3D printing for the lens rims, producing a minuscule amount of waste in comparison to conventional eyewear manufacturing.
Oh My Woodness!
Eco eyewear brand, Oh My Woodness! offers eco-friendly frames made using sustainably sourced wood and bamboo. In partnership with the Eden Reforestation Projects, each frame sold directly helps to plant a tree and fight deforestation.
Would you factor in sustainability next time you purchase a pair of glasses?
