As climate change becomes a more pressing issue to address, fashion consumers and companies are pivoting towards sustainable options to help do their part in minimizing their environmental impact. Fashion brands are aiming to shift to eco-friendly products and practices to meet the rising demand for them, from recycling materials to contributing to environmental welfare programs.
Accessories are no exception to this growing wave of sustainability; sunglasses have particularly become the new frontier for exploring and using materials and processes that are better for the environment. With the eyewear industry typically using energy-intensive processing and non-renewable materials, finding sustainable versions can be a revolutionary move. Here are some of the brands venturing into sustainable sunglasses:
Ray-Ban
Eyewear powerhouse Ray-Ban has been one of the top eyewear brands for decades, boasting a range of timeless styles that have remained classic for everyday consumers and even Hollywood’s A-list. Though the brand is renowned for honoring its heritage and history, it’s also at the forefront of eyewear innovation and constantly searching for ways to upgrade its catalog. Sustainability is one of Ray-Ban’s newest ventures, with the company exploring natural materials to be incorporated into its eyewear. Ray-Ban’s selection of women’s sunglasses boasts various eco-friendly options. The lenses are made with 40% bio-based carbon content, and non-metallic frames feature 57% bio-based carbon content. Ray-Ban also doesn’t compromise style with its sustainable shades; the Zena Bio-Based and Kiliane Bio-Based are great examples that showcase the brand’s commitment to offering fashionable and trendy eyewear that looks great while minimizing its environmental footprint.
Karün
Karün is one of the leading sustainable sunglasses brands, creating eyewear made out of traceable recycled materials. Its range of shades features frames made of recycled fishing nets, metals, ropes, and more from Patagonia in South America, where the business is based. It even has eyewear made from Celion, the cellulose acetate recovered from cigarette butts, helping address the pollution caused by the 1.3 million tons of them discarded every year. Its partners help collect these materials from the coasts or turn them into materials like Celion or ECONYL regenerated nylon to use in production. Once the sunglasses reach their end of life, consumers can send them back to the brand, where they’re recycled again. The production process is also incredibly transparent, with customers being able to track each stage with accuracy to see how their purchase is handled and how it’s making a change. Transactional data is also protected through blockchain technology, creating a transparent and immutable system that keeps people confident in their purchases.
Wires Glasses
Eyewear often involves energy-intensive processes and produces a lot of waste, so minimizing the number of pairs a person buys can reduce this footprint. This is Wires Glasses’ goal, aiming to give consumers a sustainable choice with minimal waste without depriving them of variety. The brand’s sunglasses use a foundational wire frame that wearer can pair with lens rims of various designs. Instead of buying a new pair of shades when they get damaged or reach their end of life, users can replace the lenses instead. It also uses 3D printing for the lens rims, generating less waste compared to traditional production methods. Natural materials like castor beans are sourced to create a bio-nylon present in the sunglasses rims and lenses, and the rapeseed oil plant allows the temple tips to be made with 43% natural rubber. Each pair of shades are designed to reduce environmental impact at every stage, from production processes to how the customer wears and customizes them.
