How today’s sunglasses brands are embracing sustainability
Credit: Pexels
New sectors of society are now exploring the different ways they can help the earth. In our previous article ‘How the Construction Industry is Embracing Sustainability’, we’ve shown how manufacturing companies are experimenting with renewable energy, recycling materials, and revamped processes. Customers benefit from this by attaining sustainable and cost-efficient products. The automotive industry is also dipping its toes in environmental friendliness, promoting alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and the shared ownership model. All this shows the green revolution is now gradually unfolding.
Though many of these transformations are happening behind closed corporate doors, one sector, however, is gaining momentum in implementing green initiatives and making them more visible: the sunglasses industry. Read on to find out how today’s sunglasses brands are embracing sustainability.
Credit: Pexels
Oakley
This brand delivers both quality eyewear innovation and superb sustainability. Oakley is known for offering performance sunglasses for different sports like cycling, running, and fishing, carrying popular models like the Encoder Strike, Sutro, and Holbrook. All these are equipped with the latest technologies that protect your eyes and boost your athletic prowess via vision enhancement, including the brand’s patented PRIZM lenses and lightweight O-Matter frames. Oakley doesn’t stop there, though—it’s also taking steps to ensure its sunglasses frames are sustainable as well as excellent. BiO-Matter, the brand’s updated version of O-Matter, is made from organic bio-resin sourced from castor beans. This reduces the carbon footprint of sunglasses production, and the biodegradable bio-resin serves as a durable plastic that promises eco-friendliness without skimping on Oakley’s trademark flexibility and durability.
Credit: Pexels
Lexxola
This eyewear company has been making headlines as the source of Gen Z’s favourite shades. Part of this stems from how the brand has found its way to the fashion looks of young celebrities like Sofia Richie, Emma Chamberlain, and Kaia Gerber. Another is the company’s novel business model—instead of creating products dreamed up by a singular figure in the industry, the company goes straight to their target audience of young adults and utilises community sourcing to create sunglasses styles that quickly fly off the shelves. In short, Lexxola’s eyewear is designed for Gen Z and what they want—which, fortunately, is sustainability and style. Lexxola’s supply chain is entirely powered by green sources, from manufacturing factories that run on renewable energy to the LED-lit warehouses where its sunglasses are stored in eco-integrated carriers. That makes its stylish sunnies even more appealing to its target customer base without compromising on the brand’s sustainable values.
Credit: Pexels
Proof Eyewear
This brand sprung from the seed of wanting to do good. Considering that Proof Eyewear received a social impact prize in 2021, it’s succeeded. On the consumer end, sunglasses buyers can be delighted by their handcrafted, artisan frames, all of which are treated to be resistant to the elements. They can also choose their lenses for 100% UV protection and blue light shielding. On the charitable side of Proof Eyewear’s procedures, the company has established the Peru Project—an initiative that partners with the missionary organisation HELP International to fund various services for poverty-stricken Peruvians, including environmental conservation. Another is a collaboration with Eden Forestation, which allows the company to plant five mangrove trees in Africa for every frame they sell. Customers can rest assured that they’ll contribute good to the world when they wear Proof Eyewear’s crafted shades.
Woodzee
Credit: Pexels
This business wants to make using environmentally friendly eyewear as easy as possible for their customers. Woodzee’s frames are beautiful and vibrant, and if that isn’t enough, customers can create their own custom shades. The company tries to use recycled materials as much as possible in its manufacturing. Then there’s its outstanding recycling program, where customers can return sunglasses they no longer want and get a 50% off coupon to purchase a new Woodzee product. Buyers who want to contribute to the creation of a circular and ultimately more eco-friendly economy can happily jump into the company’s sustainability loop.
These sunglasses brands are promoting better green efforts for every product they sell. Hopefully, the rest of the eyewear industry and other sectors take note.
