Recycled materials, carbon-neutral initiatives and biodegradable lenses make these glasses sustainable.
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I’ve worn glasses every day of my life for 8 years. I started shopping consciously and avoiding fast fashion as much as possible about 6 years ago. I’ve been writing about sustainability for just under a year. How is it that I had never considered the ethical and sustainable questions around glasses before? Well, it turns out that ethical and sustainable sunglasses and eyeglasses are hard to find. For starters, many popular eyewear brands (think Oakley and Ray-Bans) are owned by the company Luxottica. Luxottica’s influence is in part responsible for the standard practice of 1,000% markups on eyewear prices. This practice can make eyewear inaccessible. For that reason alone I’ve been reconsidering where I buy my glasses.
Then there are the environmental considerations. Most glasses are made out of plastic, which is a leading and dangerous pollutant. One alternative to traditional plastics is a group of materials known as bioplastics. These are semi-synthetic materials often made from plants, making them biodegradable. Bioplastics, however, aren’t perfect; they can be just as negative for the environment as traditional plastics when they end up in landfills instead of in proper disposal sites.
So what other options do we have? I’ve done some digging to locate a few good brands that make eco-friendly and ethical eyewear ranging from optical glasses to sustainable sunglasses and blue-light glasses. I recognize that while these glasses are better for the environment from a production standpoint, they may still be hard to dispose of. I’d encourage you to consult this guide to donate glasses whenever you’re ready to get rid of an old pair. And now, let’s take a look at some ethical and sustainable eyewear.
LaBante London
LaBante makes cool glasses; plain and simple. They’re bold and modern, ready for a night out on the town or a day at the boardwalk. These are perfect for someone looking for an eye-catching accessory.
Environmental Impact: LaBante’s frames are all made of ethically sourced, recycled woods like Rosewood, Padauk, Ebony Wood, and Bamboo. LaBante is a vegan company that’s also focused on the ethical treatment of its workers. You can read more about their sustainability and ethics here.
Waterhaul Crantock Optical
If you’re looking for a standard, classic set of optical glasses, Waterhaul’s your go-to. Their designs are perfect for everyday use. They also sell a few varieties of sunglasses with similarly simple and sleek designs.
Environmental Impact: You may not be able to tell from looking at them but Waterhaul crafts their glasses from ocean plastics. The Crantock glasses featured in this image are made from 100% polypropylene trawl nets. Their other glasses come from a variety of other types of nets. As a bonus, their packaging is free of single-use plastics.
Peep Eyewear Stevie Glasses
Peep’s glasses are all unique, interesting vintage finds that have been refurbished. If these ones aren’t your style, check out one of their other optical glasses or sunglasses. Their stock represents plenty of different eras and aesthetics so there’s something for just about everyone.
Environmental Impact: Peep’s glasses are all vintage. But beyond that, they really focus on refurbishing. They offer other products and services so that you can continue to take care of your glasses and refrain from buying new glasses from virgin materials.
Sunski Miho
Sunski’s glasses are great, sustainable alternatives to classic glasses designs. They sell various classic tortoiseshell frames as well as their take on aviators. Plus they even sell bluelight glasses and plenty of pairs of glasses for kids!
Environmental Impact: Sunski’s glasses are made from recycled plastics, they’re a member of 1% for the Planet, they’re certified carbon neutral, and they have plastic-free delivery.
Mita Mio
Mita sells sunglasses and optical glasses made from recycled plastic bottles. Their designs are bold and modern. Who said glasses can’t be the statement piece in your outfit?
Environmental Impact: Mita’s bio-acetate is made from food-grade plastics. Each piece of eyewear is made up of 5 recycled water bottles. They also use recycled plastics for their cases and cleaning clothes!
Eco Eyewear
Eco Eyewear has a large selection of optical and sustainable sunglasses in a mix of modern and classic styles. Their glasses are colorful and stylish, perfect for anyone with a bold fashion sense.
Environmental Impact: Eco Eyewear’s glasses are made of three materials: recycled ocean plastic, recycled metals, and biobased materials. They also use recycled materials in their packaging and plant a tree for every pair of glasses you purchase.