Contributed by Maya Campbell
Sunglasses are typically associated with a day out at sea, aquatic activities, and a simple walk along the shore. But with most sunglasses being made out of plastic, improper disposal of this eyewear can add to the plastic waste that already takes up as much as 80% of total marine pollution. The majority of the eyewear industry also uses detractive manufacturing techniques, a wasteful process where frames are cut out of acetate sheets that are then thrown away.
However, with the growing awareness about ocean sustainability, more and more eyewear companies are making an effort to reduce waste and become more mindful of their product design, manufacturing, and overall business models. In this article, we take a closer look at the eyewear industry’s sustainable initiatives for the ocean and marine life.
Using recycled materials
Unfortunately, plastic is the main source of raw material in the eyewear industry. The good news is that more brands have begun shifting toward sustainability by incorporating recycled materials into their products. The leading eyewear brand Ray-Ban is known for its classic and timeless men’s sunglasses in styles like the Aviator, Clubmaster, and Wayfarer. The brand has begun releasing Bio-Based versions of these designs using organic materials from renewable sources such as cotton, wood pulp, cereals, beet, and sugar cane. This push is meant to reduce reliance on plastic and, by extension, help oceans recover from plastic pollution.
In the spirit of sustainability, some eyewear brands even use plastics that directly come from ocean waste. For instance, in 2020, the Ocean Cleanup released its first ocean plastic product: a pair of $199 sunglasses made from fishing nets and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics entirely sourced from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Although the plastics have gone brittle over time, the company used a special manufacturing process to compound them into high-quality and eyewear-safe materials. The sunglasses have been sold out since 2022, but other brands like The Norton Point and Costa Del Mar have also taken part in using ocean plastics for their respective lines of UV-blocking sunglasses.
Adopting green shipping practices
The commercial shipping industry accounts for about 3% of total carbon dioxide emissions, with marine vessels particularly responsible for dumping toxic chemicals, fecal matter, and pollutants into large bodies of water. As a result, more brands have since turned to green shipping, which allows goods to be transported through ships using optimized speed, energy, and fuels.
At optical retailer Glasses.com, customers can choose the green shipping option verified by certified auditing company, Société Générale de Surveillance. Here, providers calculate carbon emissions from pickup to delivery. They then offset these emissions through climate protection projects such as reforestation or waste disposal. This ensures that the frames and lenses of customers arrive safely at their homes using the least amount of resources — without any additional cost. This practice can also be observed in the emerging brand Native Eyewear, which provides free green shipping options for orders over $50.
Supporting green causes
Lastly, brands can also choose to partner with or donate to sustainable causes for the ocean, similar to how 100% of WeWhale’s proceeds from its merchandise line directly go to whale and dolphin protection projects. In the eyewear industry, the sustainable brand Eco Eyewear teams up with Waste Free Oceans, a nongovernmental organization that helps fishermen collect plastic waste in the ocean. This helps them turn ocean trash into sunglasses. Brands such as SunGod also pledge 1% of their revenue to sustainability-focused non-profits such as Surfers Against Sewage in order to support like-minded efforts.
Despite its long history of plastic use, the eyewear industry is slowly but surely adapting to be sustainable. By supporting these brands and efforts, you can do your part in contributing to ocean management and conservation.