According to CEO of Millmead Optical Group, James Conway, there is a huge push for sustainability in the eyewear sector based on a combination of factors. From the consumers, the questions are, how are these products made? What are they made of and is there anything more to expect? When you look at the manufacturer and suppliers, the biggest concern is how much the businesses impact the environment for the sake of everyone.
No matter the angle you are looking at it from, there is no doubt that there is an increasing demand for sustainability in the eyewear industry.
The undergoing challenge and hidden cost
By the way, did you know that in Belgium and the Netherlands alone, optical stores discard over 4.4 million frames? This amounts to at least 179 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Putting this into perspective, that’s about 30,000 trees on a yearly basis. And that’s just two countries!
When you are going online to purchase some glasses, you are actually not thinking about the cost that goes into manufacturing and supply. You just want something that is pocket-friendly. This is not to say that buying glasses online is a bad thing. In fact, there are many sites where you can find glasses that are built for sustainability purposes.
However, the process of production to delivery to disposal often leaves a significant carbon footprint. The trucks, ships and planes used to transport these products contribute highly to the emission of greenhouse gasse. Additionally, many unwanted or returned products often end up in landfills. But now, the industry has been working to change that narrative.
In comes sustainable material
Just imagine wearing frames that come from plants, used plastic bottles and scrap metals! This might seem like a far-fetched and not-so-beautiful idea, but this is exactly what is going on in the eyewear world. Actually, fashion brands like ELLE, ESPRIT and Eddie Bauer are already using biodegradable acetate to show that fashion and sustainability are not worlds apart.
According to Michele Ziss, Director for product development at Charmant USA, the Esprit Ecollection eyeglasses are set to put sustainability on the forefront. The frames are not only made to be light, thin, UV-resistant and durable, but their material is responsibly sourced eco-acetate. This material combines high proportions of plant-based ingredients, like cotton cellulose, that can be processed with biodegradable natural plasticizers. Interestingly, Ziss also reported that because of the company’s sustainability efforts, the specific ‘sustainable’ brands had increased in sales.
Another brand that has been making headlines for its sustainability practices is Eco Eyewear. The brand, launched by Modo, makes frames using bio-based castor seeds, recycled ocean plastic or recycled metal. Additionally, the packaging is made purely from recycled material and cornstarch. It should, therefore, not come as a surprise that their transport bags are one of a kind, made from 100% cornstarch.
Many other luxury brands are on the sustainability bandwagon and are rapidly trading standard materials for biodegradable ones. The aim is to produce excellent and quality innovations while at the same time minimizing impact on the environment.
Production and everything in between
Apart from just using sustainable materials, eyewear companies have been engaging in activities that can help minimize waste, reduce energy consumption and utilize renewable energy sources. Some of the key sustainable production methods that companies have been employing include:
- Water recycling: Like any other manufacturing process, water is a key element in the production of eyewear. Therefore, companies have been implementing water recycling systems that not only help conserve water resources but also reduce the impact on the environment because of production.
- Waste management: Companies are recycling and reusing materials in a bid to reduce the waste generated during production. A good example of a brand that does this is Maui Jim. In partnership with WEIMA, the company recycles production scrap materials, e.g., frame cuttings or lens edgings into compact briquettes. These briquettes are then used for different applications.
- Energy-efficient production: Sustainability-focused eyewear brands have been focusing on reducing their energy consumption by using advanced technology. For example, LOOL Eyewear uses 3D printing to create innovative designs.
Other initiatives used
Apart from just using sustainable material and enhancing the production process, the eyewear industry has been engaging in other activities that promote the green movement.
A good example is Marchon Eyewear, whose vision is to handle sustainability from all angles. The brand partnered with Plastic Bank to implement a plastic offset impact program. In this initiative, the sale of the Dragon brand sunglasses or snow goggles would help in the cleanup of plastic bottles from the ocean. The partnership was renewed in 2025 to help the people along the coastal regions, espacially Brazil. Marchon has also partnered wih Keep America Beautiful for a similar cause.
Another initiative undertaken by the eyewear company is the planting of trees. The sales from different eyewear are geared towards planting trees which help in the managing of CO2 emitted during production. Other companies also include their different conservation programs that help in the cleaning of the environment as well as restoring the oceans from undegradable materials.
All in all, the eyewear industry is doing a great job in ensuring that the environment is kept safe for future generations. As the days go by, more and more companies are joining this train of ensuring that people are not only wearing beautifully but they are mindful of their surroundings. In the coming years, you can be sure that the world will be seeing more sustainability projects from the eyewear industry.
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