Lifestyle

7 Eco-Conscious Eyewear Brands For This Summer

Sustainable Sunglass Brands Picks

September 11, 2024
Written by ConsiderBeyond
Cover Photo by
Pala Eyewear

In order for a clothing material to be used in a piece of clothing, considerable time is spent to extract these raw materials, process them into fabric, and patch them up as a garment. Hence, a material can be deemed sustainable if it contributes to reducing the environmental impacts during this life cycle. We introduce five fibers we can choose from that help make an item of clothing more sustainable.

1. Warby Parker

Instagram | @warbyparker
Attributes
| Social Giving, Reports on Sustainability, Responsible Business Certified
Born in
| United States
Certification
| B Corp certified since May 2011

Warby Parker started with the objective of providing designer eyewear at a fair price and introducing the principle of vision for all,  exemplified by their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program, wherein for every pair of glasses or sunglasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need. From the very beginning, Warby Parker has challenged the norms, asking how they can make a greater impact on the world. The company consistently strives to do more and create a significant impact, beginning with reimagining the possibilities of both the company and the industry. As a lifestyle brand, Warby Parker endeavors to showcase that a business can expand, be profitable, and contribute positively to the world without imposing a premium for it.

Browse Warby Parker

Photo by Warby Parker

2. Barner

Instagram | @barnerbrand
Attributes
| Reports on Sustainability, Responsible Business Certified
Born in
| Spain
Certification
| B Corp certified since October2020

Barner offers innovative products designed for comfort and quality in the digital age. Their commitment to social responsibility shines through their support for four UN Sustainable Development Goals. By choosing Barner, you're not only getting cool gear but also supporting a brand that makes a positive impact on society. Barner's Rilsan frames feature a cutting-edge material known as Rilsan® Clear G850 Rnew®, derived from castor seeds with a 45% bio-based composition. Harvested castor plants yield castor oil, which is polymerized to create a lightweight, durable, and flexible material. Meanwhile, bio-acetate frames combine cotton and wood pulp fibers with a plasticizer sourced from natural origins.

Browse Barner

Photo by Barner

3. Bird Eyewear

Instagram | @birdeyewear
Born in
| United Kingdom
Certification
| B Corp certified since March 2020

Bird offers eyewear crafted with high-quality, sustainable materials. For every pair sold, Bird partners with SolarAid through their Share Your Sun initiative to provide solar lights to African communities, replacing harmful kerosene lamps. Founded by three brothers from Devon, UK, Bird is revolutionizing the industry with stylish frames that make a difference. Their premium frames feature FSC certified wood, bio-based acetate, and repurposed aerospace aluminum, showcasing Bird's commitment to both fashion and sustainability.

Browse Bird Eyewear

Photo by Bird Eyewear

4. Pala Eyewear

Instagram | @palaeyewear
Born in
| United Kingdom
Certification
| B Corp certified since Dec 2020

Collaborating with small, family-run businesses in Italy, Pala ensures top-notch craftsmanship while prioritizing eco-friendly materials like bio-acetate frames and renewable lenses. This brand's dedication to quality shines through their approach of producing in small batches, avoiding overstock issues and remaining flexible for custom collections. Through their sales, they've provided significant support to vision centers across Africa. Additionally, their partnership with a Ghanaian NGO empowers female weaving communities, offering them opportunities to create unique recycled sunglasses cases. Pala's commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and quality craftsmanship makes them a standout choice for consumers who value both style and impact.

Browse Pala Eyewear

Photo by Pala Eyewear

5. Sea2See

Instagram | @sea2see
Born in
| Italy
Certification
| Cradle to Cradle, PETA-Approved Vegan, B Corp
Attributes
| Responsible Business Certified, Sustainable Materials, Environmental Giving, Environmental Protection

Sea2see is an Italian eyewear brand crafting sustainable glasses from recycled marine plastic, sourced with the help of fishermen partnering with the Sea2see Foundation. Each frame sold supports fishing communities and addresses ocean plastic pollution. Since 2015, Sea2see's mission has been to raise global awareness about this issue and challenge unsustainable industry practices. They offer stylish products that promote a circular economy and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers seeking eco-friendly materials and social responsibility from the companies they support.

Browse Sea2See

Photo by Sea2See

6. Ace & Tate

Instagram | @aceandtate
Born in
| Netherlands
Certification
| B Corp certified since July 2021
Available in
| Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Ace & Tate offers meticulously designed eyewear starting from €100. Based in Amsterdam, they oversee every step of the process, ensuring quality from concept to finished product. Committed to using only high-quality materials, they collaborate with top suppliers to guarantee the perfect frames for their customers.They aim to create positive change within the eyewear industry by improving their value chain, responsibly designing and building stores, prioritizing employee and customer well-being, and implementing recycling initiatives. While they acknowledge there's still progress to be made, Ace & Tate remains dedicated to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to create a more eco-friendly product.

Browse Ace & Tate
Photo by Ace & Tate

7. Parafina

Instagram | @parafina
Born in
| Spain
Offline Store
| Calle de Canillas, 2, Local Parafina, 28002, Madrid Google Map
Certification
| B Corp certified since Dec 2019

Parafina Co. is a Spanish brand leading a movement towards sustainable and socially responsible eyewear in Europe. With a commitment to providing designer glasses made from eco-friendly materials at affordable prices, they are reshaping the industry with their innovative approach. Through constant experimentation and a mantra of "See Beyond Trash," Parafina Co. seeks to revolutionize the market by reintroducing consumers to meticulously crafted products that prioritize thoughtful design. Since 2014, they have financed education programs with every pair of eyewear sold, inspired by the desire to make a meaningful difference in communities worldwide. Their dedication to sustainability extends throughout their operations, from efficiently processing waste into usable materials for eyewear to adopting a holistic approach to manufacturing and distribution.

Browse Parafina

Photo by Parafina

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Lifestyle

7 Eco-Conscious Eyewear Brands For This Summer

September 11, 2024

1. Warby Parker

Instagram | @warbyparker
Attributes
| Social Giving, Reports on Sustainability, Responsible Business Certified
Born in
| United States
Certification
| B Corp certified since May 2011

Warby Parker started with the objective of providing designer eyewear at a fair price and introducing the principle of vision for all,  exemplified by their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program, wherein for every pair of glasses or sunglasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need. From the very beginning, Warby Parker has challenged the norms, asking how they can make a greater impact on the world. The company consistently strives to do more and create a significant impact, beginning with reimagining the possibilities of both the company and the industry. As a lifestyle brand, Warby Parker endeavors to showcase that a business can expand, be profitable, and contribute positively to the world without imposing a premium for it.

Browse Warby Parker

Photo by Warby Parker

2. Barner

Instagram | @barnerbrand
Attributes
| Reports on Sustainability, Responsible Business Certified
Born in
| Spain
Certification
| B Corp certified since October2020

Barner offers innovative products designed for comfort and quality in the digital age. Their commitment to social responsibility shines through their support for four UN Sustainable Development Goals. By choosing Barner, you're not only getting cool gear but also supporting a brand that makes a positive impact on society. Barner's Rilsan frames feature a cutting-edge material known as Rilsan® Clear G850 Rnew®, derived from castor seeds with a 45% bio-based composition. Harvested castor plants yield castor oil, which is polymerized to create a lightweight, durable, and flexible material. Meanwhile, bio-acetate frames combine cotton and wood pulp fibers with a plasticizer sourced from natural origins.

Browse Barner

Photo by Barner

3. Bird Eyewear

Instagram | @birdeyewear
Born in
| United Kingdom
Certification
| B Corp certified since March 2020

Bird offers eyewear crafted with high-quality, sustainable materials. For every pair sold, Bird partners with SolarAid through their Share Your Sun initiative to provide solar lights to African communities, replacing harmful kerosene lamps. Founded by three brothers from Devon, UK, Bird is revolutionizing the industry with stylish frames that make a difference. Their premium frames feature FSC certified wood, bio-based acetate, and repurposed aerospace aluminum, showcasing Bird's commitment to both fashion and sustainability.

Browse Bird Eyewear

Photo by Bird Eyewear

4. Pala Eyewear

Instagram | @palaeyewear
Born in
| United Kingdom
Certification
| B Corp certified since Dec 2020

Collaborating with small, family-run businesses in Italy, Pala ensures top-notch craftsmanship while prioritizing eco-friendly materials like bio-acetate frames and renewable lenses. This brand's dedication to quality shines through their approach of producing in small batches, avoiding overstock issues and remaining flexible for custom collections. Through their sales, they've provided significant support to vision centers across Africa. Additionally, their partnership with a Ghanaian NGO empowers female weaving communities, offering them opportunities to create unique recycled sunglasses cases. Pala's commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and quality craftsmanship makes them a standout choice for consumers who value both style and impact.

Browse Pala Eyewear

Photo by Pala Eyewear

5. Sea2See

Instagram | @sea2see
Born in
| Italy
Certification
| Cradle to Cradle, PETA-Approved Vegan, B Corp
Attributes
| Responsible Business Certified, Sustainable Materials, Environmental Giving, Environmental Protection

Sea2see is an Italian eyewear brand crafting sustainable glasses from recycled marine plastic, sourced with the help of fishermen partnering with the Sea2see Foundation. Each frame sold supports fishing communities and addresses ocean plastic pollution. Since 2015, Sea2see's mission has been to raise global awareness about this issue and challenge unsustainable industry practices. They offer stylish products that promote a circular economy and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers seeking eco-friendly materials and social responsibility from the companies they support.

Browse Sea2See

Photo by Sea2See

6. Ace & Tate

Instagram | @aceandtate
Born in
| Netherlands
Certification
| B Corp certified since July 2021
Available in
| Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Ace & Tate offers meticulously designed eyewear starting from €100. Based in Amsterdam, they oversee every step of the process, ensuring quality from concept to finished product. Committed to using only high-quality materials, they collaborate with top suppliers to guarantee the perfect frames for their customers.They aim to create positive change within the eyewear industry by improving their value chain, responsibly designing and building stores, prioritizing employee and customer well-being, and implementing recycling initiatives. While they acknowledge there's still progress to be made, Ace & Tate remains dedicated to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to create a more eco-friendly product.

Browse Ace & Tate
Photo by Ace & Tate

7. Parafina

Instagram | @parafina
Born in
| Spain
Offline Store
| Calle de Canillas, 2, Local Parafina, 28002, Madrid Google Map
Certification
| B Corp certified since Dec 2019

Parafina Co. is a Spanish brand leading a movement towards sustainable and socially responsible eyewear in Europe. With a commitment to providing designer glasses made from eco-friendly materials at affordable prices, they are reshaping the industry with their innovative approach. Through constant experimentation and a mantra of "See Beyond Trash," Parafina Co. seeks to revolutionize the market by reintroducing consumers to meticulously crafted products that prioritize thoughtful design. Since 2014, they have financed education programs with every pair of eyewear sold, inspired by the desire to make a meaningful difference in communities worldwide. Their dedication to sustainability extends throughout their operations, from efficiently processing waste into usable materials for eyewear to adopting a holistic approach to manufacturing and distribution.

Browse Parafina

Photo by Parafina