4 Ways to Champion Sustainability When Shopping for Eyewear
Various industries are making significant changes to their production processes and overall offerings to contribute to global sustainability efforts. As covered in a previous post, one of the top industries shifting to more sustainable practices is fashion, urging consumers to support trends like upcycling, cruelty-free manufacturing, and circular processes.
Under the broad fashion category is the eyewear segment, which is also increasingly focusing on sustainability to reduce the plastic waste and environmental impact associated with the production, distribution, and packaging of frames and lenses. Like other industries, sustainability in eyewear can take many forms, so here are key ways for responsible consumers like you to ensure your chosen eyewear is truly eco-friendly.
Look for eyewear made of eco-friendly materials
In the same way apparel brands and retailers promote circular fashion through the use of recycled fabrics like nylon and polyester, the eyewear industry is also championing sustainability through eco-friendly frame and lens materials. So, it’s important to prioritize transparency in the eyewear supply chain to ensure that your sunglasses or eyeglasses are composed of sustainable materials.
Case in point, the wide selection of sunglasses on retailer Vision Express includes designer brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, which has released eco-friendly versions of its signature eyewear by incorporating bio-based acetate materials. Additionally, the retailer also has a dedicated section for eyewear brands that specialize in sustainable frames, such as Waterhaul, one of the pioneers in releasing 100% recycled frames with mineral glass lenses and plastic-free storage solutions.
Learn about the brand’s CSR efforts
In addition to introducing bio-based and recycled materials into eyewear manufacturing and packaging, brands can also contribute to ethical and environmental sustainability through corporate social responsibility (CSR). Consumers must hence pay attention not only to the products themselves but also to a brand’s efforts to help achieve sustainability goals.
For instance, the sustainable brand Eco Eyewear has a ‘one frame, one tree’ program that aims to raise environmental awareness and support climate conservation for every pair of eyewear frames purchased. In April 2024, Eco Eyewear celebrated planting 3.6 million trees, which equates to offsetting over 164 million kilograms of CO2. In addition to this program and its carbon-negative sunglasses, the company also highlights its commitment to collecting 60 tons of plastic waste through clean-up projects.
Consider repair and renewal services
You can also advocate for sustainability in your eyewear shopping choices by prioritizing a brand or retailer that offers repair services. Compared to buying a new pair of eyewear every one or two years, getting your current frames repaired can save money and extend the product lifecycle — ultimately reducing plastic waste and your carbon footprint.
This principle is emphasized in Cubitts’ sustainability-focused initiatives. In addition to turning acetate waste into new sheet material and minimizing its use of single-use plastics, the B Corp-certified eyewear company provides repair, reglazing, and renewal services for issues like broken frames or hinges. While consumers have the responsibility to utilize such offerings, brands must also invest in promoting and advertising these services instead of merely chasing profit.
Buy from trusted brands
Lastly, buying quality and durable products from trusted brands ensures that you don’t have to replace your eyewear in a short period of time. It may be tempting to give in to microtrends advertised by fast fashion chains, but remember that well-crafted eyewear is timeless and gives you great value for your money. Yet again, your responsibility as a consumer is to research on a brand’s production and manufacturing processes while also looking for user reviews to ensure the product is as advertised.
In summary, you can be a more sustainable eyewear consumer by considering factors like eco-friendly materials, CSR, repair services, and overall quality.