More than 1 billion pairs of sunglasses are purchased worldwide every year. That’s 200 million in the US alone. Why not consider eco-friendly sunglasses the next time you need to replace yours?
The reason we buy so many sunglasses might have a lot to do with how easily sunglasses break! There are a few good options, like replacing the glass in your favorite sunglasses, but it can be pretty tricky to repair them once the frame breaks. And unfortunately, once they do break, sunglasses are pretty hard to recycle. You can learn more in our article: can you recycle sunglasses?
The best option is to take care of your sunglasses and keep using them as long as possible. However, if yours do break, why not consider buying sunglasses made from recycled plastic?
Keep reading to see our favorite brands making eco-friendly sunglasses.
What is sustainable sunglass manufacturing?
Sustainable sunglass manufacturing is an eco-conscious approach that minimizes the environmental impact of the entire production process, from sourcing materials to the final product.
Sustainable sunglasses prioritize using eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastics, bamboo, or reclaimed wood for the frames. These materials reduce the demand for new resources and minimize waste. To conserve resources and reduce waste, sustainable manufacturers implement responsible water management practices, recycling programs and employ energy-efficient practices. This helps reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
Some brands offer repair and recycling programs for their sunglasses, encouraging customers to extend the life of their eyewear and return old pairs for repurposing.
By adhering to these practices, these brands encourage responsible consumption while producing stylish and functional eyewear.
Below are some of the great eco-friendly sunglasses available today.
Eco-friendly Sunglasses Made From Ocean Plastic
Fair Harbor
Fair Harbor is known for making very cool swimwear for men, women, and kids, but did you know they also make a limited-edition pair of sunglasses? Collaborating with the sunglass brand Sunski, they’ve created sunglasses with recycled frames and polarized lenses.
If they are as good as their swimwear, then you should grab some today.
Recycled Material: Recycled plastic
Price Range $
Check out Fair Harbor
Ecoer Fashion
Another company that’s turning fishing nets into sunglasses is Ecoer Fashion. They have a few different styles, like the aviator sunglasses below. Their range has eco-friendly options for everyone.
Their sunglasses are made ethically using recycled nylon sourced from old fishing nets. They are also scratch resistant, have ultraviolet protection, and come with a lifetime warranty.
Recycled Material: Recycled plastic reclaimed fishing nets
Price Range $
Check out Ecoer Fashion.
Waterhaul
One of the most common forms of waste plastic in our oceans is abandoned fishing nets. These discarded nets are also one of the most deadly, entangling and trapping marine wildlife.
Waterhaul sources these discarded nets from recovery operations along coastlines in England and Wales. They sort and process them and turn the recycled plastic into sunglasses.
These are my favorite in the Harlyn Aqua color. And you know we love a company that takes responsibility for their waste. When your sunglasses do finally reach the end of their life, you can return them to be recycled again.
Recycled Material: Recycled plastic reclaimed fishing nets
Price Range $
Check out Waterhaul.
The Ocean Cleanup
How about buying a pair of recycled ocean plastic sunglasses made from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Plus, 100% of your money is invested directly into the next ocean cleanup. For every pair of sunglasses, it’s estimated that they can clean up and are the size of 24 football fields.
Even their sunglasses cases are made from recycled material, using the material collected by the HDPE floater from System 001, their first ocean cleanup system.
Solving problems at their source, The Ocean Cleanup combines traditional cleanup with innovative technology to stem the inflow of plastic. The founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, Boyan Slat, developed a system to rid the ocean of plastic pollution at 16. Since then, the Ocean Cleanup team has grown to more than 90 engineers, researchers, scientists, and computational modelers working hard to clean rid the ocean of plastic pollution.
Recycled Material: The Ocean CleanupTM plastic – 95% recycled plastic certified from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Price Range $$
Check out The Ocean Cleanup.
Karün Sunglasses
Karün is not only on a mission to clean up our world; they want to change the way we see ourselves. Understanding that we are part of nature and not separate from it, they hope to solve many environmental problems.
We are all nature.
Karün
Based in Patagonia, Karün makes products out of recycled material, building a circular and regenerative model. Discarded fishing nets, ropes, and other materials are collected from the South of Chile. These are then sent to Italy and Turkey, where the frames are made. They are also carbon-neutral, offsetting all their carbon emissions from this supply network with carbon credits.
Their product range comprises sunglasses and eyeglass frames made from Econyl recycled plastic and straps handmade from reclaimed leather and recycled ocean plastics.
Karün also has a recycling program and will give you a 25% discount on your new pair of sunglasses if you recycle your old ones.
Recycled Material: Made with ECONYL® regenerated nylon (from fishing nets from Patagonia and other discarded nylon)
Price Range $$
Check out Karün.
Norton Point
Founded on the island of Martha’s Vineyard back in 2016, Norton Point is committed to cleaning up the ocean. They demonstrate their commitment by reinvesting 5% of their profits into research and education. They even pledge to remove one pound of plastic for every pair of sunglasses they sell.
Their eco-friendly sunglasses are made from ocean plastic, environmentally conscious products made to last. The recycled ocean plastic is supplied by Oceanworks®, a global supply chain providing guaranteed ocean plastics.
Recycled Material: Recycled ocean plastic
Price Range $
Check out Norton Point.
Bureo Sunglasses
Bureo also uses discarded fishing nets to make their eco-friendly sunglasses. Working with fisheries and local communities, they have created an incentivized program to collect the fishing nets. They clean, sort, and recycle them into NetPlus™, a recycled plastic material. This material is then used to create their products.
Bureo’s range includes skateboards, frisbees, surf fins, and of course, sunglasses. They even make a Jenga set from recycled plastic.
They are a member of 1% for the planet, giving 1% of profits to environmental causes. Plus, they partner with nonprofits, schools, and companies for educational events, presentations, and beach cleanups.
Recycled Material: Recycled plastic reclaimed fishing nets
Price Range $$
Check out Bureo.
The Wrap
When considering recycling, it is good to think about all the things we use in our lives, not just the everyday packaging. Buying eco-friendly sunglasses made from recycled materials is a great way to reduce your impact on the planet.
Find more ways to vote with your wallet in our recycled gift guides.
