4 Companies Turning Plastic Waste into Fashionable Eyewear

From disposable shopping bags to take-out containers, plastic is one of the most commonly used materials today. Unfortunately, plastic bottles alone take over 400 years to degrade meaning much of that waste sits in landfills or washes out into the ocean. In fact, roughly 300 million metric tons of plastic are produced globally each year, and half of those plastics are designed to be disposable.

Any un-recycled plastic that does not wind up in a landfill may end up in our oceans, especially if the litter is left on or near the beach. This ocean trash is harming animals such as fish, dolphins, sea turtles, whales, and marine birds that mistakenly ingest pieces of ocean trash or become entangled in plastic bags and discarded fishing nets. With more and more plastic being produced and wasted each year, people have started to take notice.

Realizing the problem, some entrepreneurs are doing their part to take recycling to the next level and reduce waste while producing high-quality fashion eyewear from sustainable materials. Here are four companies that use plastic and other recycled materials to make sustainable and stylish glasses and sunglasses.

Genusee

Lead contamination in the drinking water of Flint Michigan generated a surge of plastic waste from disposable water bottles. At the height of the crisis, the city was going through an astounding 20 million plastic water bottles each day. This problem captured the attention of Genusee co-founder Ali Rose VanOverbeke who was concerned with the impact that plastic would have on the environment.

VanOverbeke partnered with her friend Jack Burns to start a project that later turned into the company Genusee, which creates glasses out of plastic bottles, in order to create jobs in the city and reduce the plastic waste problem in Flint. The glasses are created by turning the bottles into little pellets, which are injected into a frame-shaped mold and assembled.

One of the company’s main goals is to help the people in Flint that are considered displaced workers and those that struggle to find employment such as people with disabilities or returning citizens. Genesee glasses can be produced with on-the-job skills training and most importantly, workers earn a livable wage.

Fifteen plastic bottles are upcycled to make a pair of Genusee eyeglasses, meaning fifteen fewer bottles that could potentially wind up in a landfill. Pre-orders are currently available on their website.

Sea2See

In America, people go through roughly 50 billion plastic bottles each year, although only 23 percent of those bottles are recycled. Much of that waste finds its way into our oceans, endangering marine life that becomes trapped or mistakenly eats it. Sea2See is using plastic waste to make stylish eyewear that also does good for the environment.

Over 100,000 marine animals caught in plastic trash die each year with many more estimated that are never found. Even seabirds suffer the consequences of our plastic obsession… one million marine birds are killed every year, some by ingesting small pieces of plastic mistaken for food. The eyewear made at Sea2See is 100 percent recycled plastic, so you can look good and feel good at the same time.

There are a number of chic designs to choose from and enough classic color styles to fit every style from professional to casual. Plus, they offer free shipping for orders over 99€. Even if you don’t wear glasses, you can pick from their collection of sunglasses styles and the next time you hit the beach, you can feel good about the fact you made a positive impact on our oceans.

Norton Point

Norton Point is a company dedicated to upcycling harmful plastic waste from the ocean to create sustainable and eco-friendly eyewear. In 2015, this green company had a mission and started its first line of glasses using ocean plastic and plant-based materials.

95 percent of all plastic is only used once. Bottles, food containers, and straws are just some of the harmful waste that ends up in our oceans. For every purchase made, Norton Point promises to clean up one pound of ocean plastic. The company also gives five percent of net profits back into global cleanup efforts.

There are currently four sea-themed frame styles and designs come in two different lens colors—black and blue—for a classic yet hip look. Cut back on glare with complete UVA/UVB protection and an anti-reflective coating ideal for relaxing on the beach or driving along the coast.

Blue Planet Eyewear

The company Blue Planet Eyewear was founded in 2009 by eyewear expert David Weinstein who wanted to reduce waste and create a more eco-friendly product. When he passed away, the company was left to his son, Matt. Along with his wife Lisa, they continue David’s vision for his company by producing sustainable, high-fashion eyewear while also giving back to communities in need.

Each time a purchase is made, the company donates a pair of glasses to someone in need. Blue Planet Eyewear is committed to reducing waste from the manufacturing process and creating fashionable glasses and sunglasses. Glasses are made with recycled products and responsibly sourced bamboo and wood.

Selling both reading glasses and sunglasses, Blue Planet Eyewear offers an extensive variety of styles and frame shapes. Lenses have UVA/UVB protection and some frame styles have polarized options to reduce glare. With such a huge selection of styles, it’s incredibly easy to find one for any face shape or style.

FAQs

How can glasses be eco-friendly?

Glasses can be eco-friendly by adopting sustainable manufacturing practices, using recycled or renewable materials, and implementing environmentally conscious designs. Additionally, eco-friendly glasses may incorporate features like biodegradability, minimal packaging, and energy-efficient production processes.

What are eco-friendly glasses made of?

Eco-friendly glasses can be made from various materials. Common eco-friendly options include recycled metals (such as stainless steel or aluminum), sustainable wood or bamboo, recycled plastics (like reclaimed acetate), and bio-based materials (such as plant-based or biodegradable plastics).

What are sustainable glasses?

Sustainable glasses are eyewear products that are designed, manufactured, and marketed with a focus on minimizing their environmental impact and promoting long-term sustainability. They prioritize factors like the use of eco-friendly materials, ethical sourcing, and responsible production methods, and often contribute to social and environmental causes. Sustainable glasses aim to reduce waste, conserve resources, and provide an eco-conscious alternative to conventional eyewear options.