Curbing the Tide of Eyewear Waste

Although eyewear is considerably less impactful than clothing and footwear, in terms of the pollution it creates, it’s still important to look at how this sector approaches waste. To date, on average, over 75% of acetate is wasted by a single eyewear manufacturer. The Association of Optometrists (AOP) also estimates that billions of lenses are thrown into landfills and incinerators annually. 

Considering that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the number of those needing vision correction will rise to almost half the global population by 2050, eyewear may create an even bigger environmental burden. In light of this, many eyewear stakeholders have begun to adopt greener solutions. 

Reducing waste through versatility

For many consumers and manufacturers, eyewear deemed out of fashion or restrictive is discarded to make room for newer, trendier styles. This not only means that countless pieces of eyewear end up in the trash, but it also supports the cycle of overconsumption. For instance, a recent report found that up to 250 million metric tons worth of reading specs are thrown away every year in North America alone. 

In response to this, a number of eyewear providers are leaning more toward products that encourage multi-functionality. This is especially helpful as many consumers require multiple types of specialty glasses and are more likely to feel compelled to replace and update their eyewear collection regularly. Take Foster Grant’s clip on sunglasses, which target budget and function pain points. Designed to be lightweight and durable, these products can be easily attached to most prescription specs and readers, transforming them into sun-protective sunglasses. Moreover, these can come with polarized coatings and different lens tints to repel glare and improve visual acuity. Since these are also more affordable than buying an entirely new pair of sunnies, they offer economic relief. Overall, this helps encourage consumers to use their existing eyewear for longer. Among manufacturers, it also reduces the materials waste created by excessive operations. 

Adopting greener materials

Speaking of materials, there has also been a widescale push towards more sustainably created eyewear. Generally, most eyewear today is made from some sort of plastic. While these are typically cheaper, more flexible, and more durable, they do have an eco–impact that can’t be ignored. According to Pela Case, acrylic sunglasses, for instance, can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

As such, manufacturers have turned to alternative materials that are either recycled or taken from renewable sources. For example, Karün recently partnered with Walmart to release a collection of sustainable eyeglasses. These are made using recycled fish nets, plastics, and metals taken from the coast of Patagonia in South America. In line with this, many manufacturers are also introducing traceability programs wherein consumers can see the background of the materials, including how they were collected and how far they’ve traveled. This level of transparency helps maintain the integrity of such ethical initiatives and educates consumers on better eyewear manufacturing procedures. This can lead to better purchasing decisions, fueling more sustainable efforts among eyewear manufacturers. 

Gone are the days when fashion and the environment were seemingly at odds. Nowadays, consumers and manufacturers alike understand that both can and should work in harmony. In eyewear, given that these can act as both style statements and medical devices, curbing the waste crisis ensures that the industry can continue to function ethically for years, and consumers can accessorize and protect their vision without guilt. 

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