7 Sustainable Brands Making Eco-Friendly Sunglasses for A Brighter Future (2024)
Image: Eco Eyewear
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The Best Sustainable Sunglasses
The future is looking bright…
Sustainable sunglasses are here to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while contributing to a more sustainable planet! This article will explore the world of eco-friendly eyewear, highlighting the innovative materials, designs, and technologies that are revolutionizing the sunglasses industry. Whether you are a conscious consumer or a fashion enthusiast, sustainable sunglasses offer the perfect balance of style and ethics. These conscious choices reduce waste and support sustainable practices by using materials like recycled plastic bottles and renewable resources such as bamboo and wood.
The Rise of Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion has gained significant attention in recent years as consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of their purchases. The fashion industry is a major contributor to pollution and waste, so there is a growing demand for sustainable alternatives. As a result, eco-friendly fashion brands that prioritize ethical sourcing, production, and materials have emerged. Sustainable sunglasses are a natural extension of this movement, providing consumers with a stylish and eco-conscious option for eye protection.
What are Sustainable Sunglasses?
Sustainable sunglasses are eyewear products designed and manufactured with the environment in mind. They aim to reduce the fashion industry's carbon footprint by using recycled materials, renewable resources, and eco-friendly production processes. Every aspect of sustainable sunglasses is carefully considered, from the frames to the lenses, to minimize waste and maximize sustainability. These brands also ensure that the people creating the sunglasses are paid fair wages and are in safe working conditions. By choosing sustainable sunglasses, consumers can make a positive impact on the environment without compromising on style or quality.
Benefits of Sustainable Sunglasses
Sustainable sunglasses offer a range of benefits beyond their environmental impact:
They provide the same level of protection as traditional sunglasses, shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays.
Sustainable sunglasses often come in stylish designs, catering to the fashion-forward consumer. By wearing sustainable sunglasses, you can showcase your commitment to the environment while staying on-trend. Gone are the days when 'sustainable' was not 'fashionable'.
Many sustainable sunglass brands prioritize fair trade practices and ethical production, ensuring that workers in the manufacturing process are treated fairly.
By supporting these brands, you contribute to a greener planet and a more equitable fashion industry.
What to Look for when shopping Eco-friendly, Sustainable Sunglasses
Recycled Plastic: Up until a few years ago, it was almost impossible to find sunglasses made from recycled plastic. Not anymore! Several of the brands below use plastic from discarded bottles and fishing nets to create their frames.
FSC-Certified and/or Reclaimed Wood: There are a lot of wooden sunglasses available out there, but just because it’s a natural material doesn’t mean it’s eco-friendly. Be sure to purchase sunglasses made from reclaimed/upcycled wood or carry the “FSC-Certified” label, which means the wood was sourced from a sustainably-managed forest.
Plant-Based Plastic Alternatives: You’ll see the term “acetate” on some eco-friendly sunglasses. But what exactly is it? Acetate is plant-based cellulose that often comes from trees (though it can come from other plants, like cotton). The verdict is still out on just how sustainable acetate actually is. It likely depends on where it’s made and the processes used to transform the plant fibers into a plastic-like material. But at the end of the day, it’s still a better option than virgin plastic.
Our Top Picks for Sustainable Sunglasses:
1. Pela
Price | $40-80
You may be familiar with Pela and their incredible phone cases, but did you know they have sunglasses, too?
Their range of sunglasses has 33% less CO2e Emissions, 34% less water usage, and 82% less waste compared to conventional sunglasses and packaging. They come in a range of colors and styles, and they are very affordable. Sometimes you can find a BOGO sale going on!
2. Proof Eyewear
Price | $55-120
Another great eyewear company, Proof Eyewear, is based in Boise, Idaho. They started with wooden frames and have since expanded to designs that use recycled aluminum and acetate (made from cotton). You can also send back your old frames with their recycling program. Plus, with your help, they have donated over 1,200 pairs of glasses, planted 200 trees, given almost 6,00 health & vision screenings, and 240 cataract surgeries!
3. Eco Eyewear
Price | $75-150
Founded in 2009, Eco Eyewear creates sustainable unisex eyewear and sunglasses made exclusively from eco-friendly, recycled, and biobased materials. Recently, they have partnered with Waste Free Oceans to use ocean plastic waste in a collection of sustainable frames! They also founded a program to plant trees called 'One Tree, One Frame', which has planted over 3.3 million trees to date, making them the world's first Carbon Negative eyewear brand.
4. MITA
Price | $139+
MITA starts with five water bottles and transforms them into a pair of wearable, high-quality, lightweight, and super cute eyewear. Their cleaning cloths and cases are made from recycled materials, too. The MITA community works with a few different non-profit organizations to help clean up and protect our oceans and waterways. In addition to their sustainable sunglasses, MITA also carries prescription eyeglasses and blue light blocking recycled glasses as well. And I loved their virtual try-on feature—it really helped me choose which one to get!
5. Look Optic
Price | $72-108
Merging featherweight, fashion-forward design with 100% recycled materials, LOOK OPTIC's collection of sustainable eyewear offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditionally disposable readers, blue-light glasses, and sunglasses. Actively giving back to promote a more sustainable feature, the brand partners with Lion's Club to help upcycle and redistribute old frames and TerraCycle to assist in repurposing hard-to-recycle elements (frames, lenses and hinges), transforming old frames into running tracks, playgrounds, & more.
6. SeaClean
Price | $98
We really like what this line of eyeglasses is all about. Frames from SeaClean by GlassesUSA are made entirely from up-cycled plastic bottles. It only takes five bottles to create a pair of sunglasses. Plus, for every SeaClean pair sold, they will donate $5 to The Ocean Cleanup to help them in their efforts towards a plastic-free ocean by 2050. There are only two frame styles at the moment, but hopefully we will see more in the future.
7. Pala Eyewear
Price | $120-204
As a certified B Corp, Pala is committed to making a positive impact with their business.
They provide eye care for communities around the globe, use recycled plastic for their cases, and offset their carbon emissions.
Their ethically-made sunglasses are made from plant-based bio-acetate, making them easier to biodegrade.
Sustainable Sunglasses Care and Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity of your sustainable sunglasses. Here are a few tips to keep them in top condition:
- Store your sunglasses in a protective case when not in use to prevent scratches and damage.
- Clean the lenses and frames regularly using a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner specifically designed for eyewear.
- Avoid placing your sunglasses face down on hard surfaces to prevent scratches on the lenses.
- Avoid exposing your sunglasses to extreme temperatures or prolonged periods of direct sunlight, as this can weaken the materials.
By following these simple care tips, you can enjoy your sustainable sunglasses for years while minimizing the need for replacements.
Supporting Sustainable Fashion: Ways to Promote and Advocate for Sustainable Sunglasses
As an eco-conscious consumer, there are several ways you can support and promote sustainable sunglasses:
1. Spread the word: Share your love for sustainable sunglasses with friends, family, and on social media. Educate others about the benefits of sustainable fashion and encourage them to make conscious choices when purchasing eyewear.
2. Choose sustainable brands: Choose sunglasses from brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical production. By supporting these brands, you will contribute to the demand for eco-friendly fashion and encourage others to follow suit.
3. Participate in recycling programs: Some sustainable sunglasses brands offer recycling programs where you can return your old sunglasses for proper disposal or recycling. Take advantage of these initiatives to ensure your sunglasses are disposed of responsibly.
4. Advocate for change: Support initiatives and organizations that promote sustainable fashion and advocate for stricter regulations in the fashion industry. You can amplify your impact and drive positive change by joining forces with like-minded individuals and organizations.
5. Love what you have: Sustainability starts in your own closet. You are participating in the sustainable fashion movement just by wearing your old sunglasses!
By actively promoting and advocating for sustainable sunglasses, you can help shape a future where fashion and sustainability go hand in hand.
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